The definitive decision-making text for systems engineering and management, now updated and revised

Decision Making in Systems Engineering and Management is a comprehensive textbook that provides logical processes and analytical techniques for fact-based decision making for the most challenging systems engineering and engineering management problems. It is grounded in the systems decisions process (SDP), which leverages multi-objective decision analysis and value-focused thinking to define the problem; identify system functions and measure stakeholder value; design creative and affordable solutions; explore the decision trade-off space in the presence of uncertainty and risk; and structure successful solution implementations.

Like its predecessor, this Second Edition provides a multidisciplinary framework for systems thinking, systems engineering, problem solving, and decision support using accepted principles and practices of systems engineering and decision analysis. This new text includes the following features:

• Increased emphasis on requirements analysis
• Inclusion of cost analysis in the solution design phase to emphasize affordability
• Increased emphasis on risk management and assessment in several chapters
• Improved sensitivity analysis techniques
• A completely revised solution implementation chapter to emphasize project management techniques

Class tested and dependable, this book includes helpful examples and case studies. Providing a foundational coverage of systems thinking, systems engineering, and systems decision making, this text is suitable for students of systems engineering, engineering management, and systems management, as well as for engineering management and systems engineering consultants. Included notes to instructors offer suggestions for using the book in support of undergraduate and graduate engineering programs.

Decision Making in Systems Engineering and Management is a comprehensive textbook that provides a logical process and analytical techniques for fact-based decision making for the most challenging systems problems. Grounded in systems thinking and based on sound systems engineering principles, the systems decisions process (SDP) leverages multiple objective decision analysis, multiple attribute value theory, and value-focused thinking to define the problem, measure stakeholder value, design creative solutions, explore the decision trade off space in the presence of uncertainty, and structure successful solution implementation. In addition to classical systems engineering problems, this approach has been successfully applied to a wide range of challenges including personnel recruiting, retention, and management; strategic policy analysis; facilities design and management; resource allocation; information assurance; security systems design; and other settings whose structure can be conceptualized as a system.