Systems Engineering Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition

6NEEDS ANALYSIS

6.1 ORIGINATING A NEW SYSTEM

The primary objective of the needs analysis phase of the system life cycle is to show clearly and convincingly that a valid operational need (or potential market) exists for a new system or a major upgrade to an existing system, and that there is a feasible approach to fulfilling the need at an affordable cost and within an acceptable level of risk. It answers the question of why a new system is needed and shows that such a system offers a sufficient improvement in capability to warrant the effort to bring it into being. This is achieved, in part, by devising at least one conceptual system that can be shown to be functionally capable of fulfilling the perceived need, and by describing it in sufficient detail to persuade decision makers that it is technically feasible and can be developed and produced at an acceptable cost. In short, this whole process must produce persuasive and defensible arguments that support the stated needs and create a “vision of success” in the minds of those responsible for authorizing the start of a new system development.

Place of the Needs Analysis Phase in the System Life Cycle

The exact beginning of the active development of a new system is often difficult to identify. This is because the earliest activities in the origin of a new system are usually exploratory and informal in nature, without a designated organizational structure, specified objectives, or established timetable. Rather, the activities ...