Short Case Studies



The case studies presented here are brief and focus on a particular aspect related to a product or system. The goal is to demonstrate the importance of a specific concept or task associated with Systems Engineering (SE) and/or Product Design and Development.

Case studies that are currently available for download are arranged below by course level and the topic they illustrate.


Identifying Customer Needs

This case study focuses on customer requirements for lower extremity protective armor for ground troops. A brief exercise involving concealable body armor for law enforcement officers is also included.

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.


Target Specifications

This is an introduction to the process of setting target specifications based on customer requirements that have been acquired. Rockets and missiles are used for the overarching theme. An in-class activity is given as an exercise to reinforce the concepts

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.


Concept Generation

Unmanned ground vehicles are increasingly used in areas that are too difficult or dangerous for humans to access. This case study focuses on generating concepts for mobile robot locomotion. The specific case of traversing steep, sandy terrain is discussed, with students working in teams to generation locomotion concepts. Existing techniques for locomotion are then discussed, and a short lab exercise is introduced where students develop new wheel concepts for an RC dune buggy and test them on an outdoor course.

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.


Project Architecture

Systems architecture is the scheme by which functional elements of a product are arranged into physical chunks. This case study provides and introduction to systems architecture by presenting some historical cases of products with interesting architecture. The specific case of a NAVY SEAL Deployable Submarine is studied more in depth and an activity involving identifying sub-system interfaces on the submarine reinforce the topics discussed.

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.



General

Flying cars have a long history, and have recently seen a resurgence in interest in the form of the flying taxi. This case study provides background on the problem of flying cars and taxis to familiarize students with these complex systems. Homework assignments in subsequent case studies revolve around the common theme of flying cars.

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.


Identifying Customer Needs

This case study focuses on customer requirements for lower extremity protective armor for ground troops. A brief exercise involving concealable body armor for law enforcement officers is also included.

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.


Target Specifications

This is an introduction to the process of setting target specifications based on customer requirements that have been acquired. Rockets and missiles are used for the overarching theme. An in-class activity is given as an exercise to reinforce the concepts

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.


Concept Generation

Unmanned ground vehicles are increasingly used in areas that are too difficult or dangerous for humans to access. This case study focuses on generating concepts for mobile robot locomotion. The specific case of traversing steep, sandy terrain is discussed, with students working in teams to generation locomotion concepts. Existing techniques for locomotion are then discussed, and a short lab exercise is introduced where students develop new wheel concepts for an RC dune buggy and test them on an outdoor course.

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.


Project Architecture

Systems architecture is the scheme by which functional elements of a product are arranged into physical chunks. This case study provides and introduction to systems architecture by presenting some historical cases of products with interesting architecture. The specific case of a NAVY SEAL Deployable Submarine is studied more in depth and an activity involving identifying sub-system interfaces on the submarine reinforce the topics discussed.

If you are interested in this short case study, please contact us.