Wiley-Blackwell Decision Making in Systems Engineering and Management (Wiley Series in Systems Engineering and Management)

This comprehensive textbook provides a logical process for fact–based decision making for the most challenging systems problems. It is composed of three bedrock elements to improve readers′ understanding and analysis of the most challenging systems problems that exist today: systems thinking, which identifies important interconnections between a system and its environment; systems engineering, which describes the activities of professional systems engineers; and systems decision making, which provides fact–based information to support major system decisions made at every life cycle stage. From the Back Cover A multidisciplinary framework for systems decision making using the principles and practices of systems engineering and decision analysis Decision Making in Systems Engineering and Management is a comprehensive textbook that provides a logical process for fact–based decision making for the most challenging systems problems. Grounded in systems thinking and based on sound systems engineering principles, the systems decision process (SDP) leverages both multiple–objective decision analysis and value–focused thinking to define the problem, measure stakeholder value, design creative solutions, explore the decision trade space, and structure successful solution implementation. The book is composed of three bedrock elements to improve readers′ understanding and analysis of the most challenging systems problems that exist today: Systems thinking, which introduces a powerful mental framework necessary to identify important interconnections between a system and its environment Systems engineering, which describes the activities of professional systems engineers and distinguishes the discipline from other engineering fields Systems decision making, which provides fact–based information to support major system decisions made at each system life cycle stage Complemented with examples, exercises, and case studies, this book serves as the foundation of an undergraduate program for systems engineering or engineering management. It is also appropriate as a supplemental text at the graduate level and is a valuable reference for systems engineering and engineering management professionals. About the Author Gregory S. Parnell, PhD, is Professor of Systems Engineering in the Department of Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. He has extensive experience in systems engineering, engineering management, and the analysis of major system decisions. He is also a Senior Principal with Innovative Decisions, Inc. His research and consulting has focused on defense, intelligence, environmental cleanup, and homeland security. Patrick J. Driscoll, PhD, is a Professor of Operations Research in the Department of Systems Engineering at USMA and a consultant to governmental and industrial organizations. A former associate dean for information and educational technology, his research and publications have produced novel insights into optimization and efficiency, information systems modeling, system dynamics effects, and strategy. Dale L. Henderson, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems Engineering at USMA and a Senior Analyst in the USMA Operations Research Center of Excellence (ORCEN), addressing complex challenges for U.S. Department of Defense systems on both a national and international scale.