Three Day COTS-Based Systems Engineering Course in the DC Area 

This three-day course provides a systemic overview of how to tailor and adapt Systems Engineering (SE) to plan, manage, and execute projects that have significant Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) content. Modern development programs are increasingly characterized by COTS solutions (both hardware and software) in both the military and commercial domains. Most traditional SE training treats system elements as “make” (or in-house) development efforts.  This class explores how to tailor the SE process for “buy” development efforts that have significant COTS content. Learn from David D. Walden, ESEP, Lead Editor of the INCOSE SE Handbook and former INCOSE Certification PM. 

Course Outline

1. COTS Concepts and Principles. Key COTS and COTS-Based Systems Engineering (CBSE) Concepts. CBSE Compared and Contrasted with Traditional Systems Engineering. Key Challenges and Expected Benefits of CBSE. COTS lessons learned.

2. COTS Influences on Requirements Development. Tailored and New Approaches to Requirements. Stakeholder Requirements and Measures of Effectiveness.  System Requirements and Measures of Performance. Flow Down of Requirements to COTS Components.

3. COTS Influences on Architecture and Design. Architecting Principles. Make vs. Buy Decisions. Architectural and Design Strategies for CBSE. Dealing with the Unique Interdependencies of Overlapping COTS and System Lifecycles. Support for Ongoing Change and Evolution of the COTS Components.

4. COTS Life Cycle Considerations. Reliability, Maintainability, Availability. Supportability/Logistics. Usability/Human Factors. Training. System Safety. Security/Survivability. Producibility/Manufacturability. Changeability. Commonality. Interoperability. Affordability. Disposability/Sustainability.

5. COTS Influences on Integration and Test. Integration, Verification, and Validation Approaches in a COTS Environment. Strategies for Dealing with the Dynamic and Independent Nature of the COTS Components. Acceptance of COTS Components.

6. COTS Influences on Technical Management. Planning, Monitoring, and Control. Risk and Decision Management, Configuration and Information Management. Supplier Identification, Selection, Agreements, Oversight, and Control. Supplier Technical Reviews. COTS Integrator Role. Course Wrap-up.

Instructor Information

David D. Walden, ESEP

An internationally recognized expert in the field of Systems Engineering

- Over 30 years of industry experience
- Taught over 75 courses to over 1200 students since 2006
- INCOSE Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP)
- Senior Member of the IEEE
- Lead Editor of the INCOSE SE Handbook Fourth Edition
- INCOSE Certification Program Manager 2007-2013
- Education
    - MS in MOT, University of Minnesota
    - MS in EE & CS, Washington University in St. Louis
    - BS in EE, Valparaiso University  

The fee for this course is $2090 USD per person, discounted to $1890 per person for early registration. The fee includes course materials, morning and afternoon refreshments, and lunch each day. Groups of three or more people attending from the same company or organization (must register with same company Email domain name) or university SE program can get a discount of $100 per person. 

Student Cancellation Policy: More than four weeks prior to the start of the event - 100% refund; two to four weeks prior to the start of the event - 50% refund; less than two weeks prior to the start of the event - no refund. Substitutions allowed with advance notification.

Sysnovation Cancellation Policy: Sysnovation reserves the right to cancel this course up to two weeks prior to the event.  In the event of cancellation, participants will receive a full refund of their course fee.