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Practical Application of Sociology in Systems EngineeringSystems engineering involves both the integration of the system and the integration of the disciplines which develop and operate the system. Integrating the disciplines is a sociological effort to bring together different groups, who often have different terminology, to achieve a common goal, the system. The focus for the systems engineer is information flow through the organization, between the disciplines, to ensure the system is developed and operated will all relevant information informing system decisions. The practical application of the sociology in systems engineering brings in various organizational development concepts including the principles of planned renegotiation and the application of principles to address information barriers created by organizational culture. Concepts such as specification of ignorance, consistent terminology, opportunity structures, role-sets, and the reclama (reconsideration) process are all important sociological approaches that help address the organizational social structure (culture). In bringing the disciplines together, the systems engineer must also be wary of social ambivalence, social anomie, social dysfunction, and insider-outsider behavior. Unintended consequences can result when these social issues are present. These issues can occur when localized subcultures shift from the overarching organizational culture, or when the organizational culture prevents achievement of system goals. These sociological principles provide the systems engineer with key approaches to manage the information flow through the organization as the disciplines are integrated and share their information and provides key sociological barriers to information flow through the organization. This paper will discuss the practical application of sociological principles to systems engineering.
Document ID
20170012447
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Watson, Michael D.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Andrews, James G.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Eckley, Jeri Cassel
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Culver, Michael L.
(Aetos Systems, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
December 19, 2017
Publication Date
October 18, 2017
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Social And Information Sciences (General)
Systems Analysis And Operations Research
Report/Patent Number
M17-6279-1
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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