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Revision as of 11:55, 5 March 2022

Welcome to Engineer-it

The Engineer-it resource, for learners of all ages, provides information about how to manage complex uncertainty.

The resource was established in 2021 by the Institution of Engineers in Scotland (IES).

Engineer-it is uses the MediaWiki software platform but it is not 'wiki' i.e. there are limited editing rights. However, it is a 'live' resource that is expected to be continually extended and modified.

For more information about Engineer-it see About

System planning

The term system planning is used here to represent skilled management of complex uncertainty.

Planning can be defined as the formulation and implementation of processes. The simple model of:

Input -----> process -----> outcomes

prompts the observation that deep focus on the suitability of the inputs to processes and on the quality of the processes themselves is critical for achieving successful outcomes. When working with complex uncertainty, it is necessary to ensure that the processes used are the most appropriate in the context. In system planning, such focus is applied to the overall process and to the sub-processes.

A main feature of system planning is that the processes are adapted to the context and kept under constant review.

System planning also implies that outcomes are kept under constant review and changes are made in the light of such experience

System planning for structural design is discussed here. The need for system planning for the electricity system is discussed here.

System planning is needed for:

developing government policy, for energy, reducing inequality, waste disposal, etc.
engineering projects of all kinds: infrastructure, aircraft, microchips, etc.
business enterprises
health services
scientific projects
educational programmes
etc.

Structure of the resource

The resource is divided into 'modules'.

The Strategies Module outlines a conceptual framework that can be used in a wide range of situations, not only in engineering. The other chapters give instances of the use of the framework in specific contexts.

Those who seek to address the complex problems of the modern world - sustainability, inequality, energy, climate change, waste, etc. - should use these strategies where they are appropriate. All who have, or aspire to have, a responsible role in society should discipline their minds to use them.

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-[[File:Bridges.png|alt=|center|800x800px]]
+[[File:Satellite.png|center|thumb|850x850px]]
-== Welcome to Engineer-it ==
+==Welcome to Engineer-it==
+<div style = "width:800px">
+The ''Engineer-it'' resource, for learners of all ages, provides information about how to manage complex uncertainty.
-{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px; background-color:#DEF6FE;  width:200px;  vertical-align:top; text-align:left; float:right; margin-left: 10px;"
+The resource was established in 2021 by the Institution of Engineers in Scotland ([http://www.engineers.scot/ IES]).
-!<big>References</big>
-|-
+Engineer-it is uses the MediaWiki software platform but it is not 'wiki' i.e. there are limited editing rights. However, it is a 'live' resource that is expected to be continually extended and modified.
-|'''Chapters'''
-'''[[Chapter 1:Strategies for engineered outcomes|Strategies]]'''
+For more information about Engineer-it see [[Engineer-it:About|About]]
-'''[[Chapter 2:Structural engineering|Structural engineering]]'''
+=== System planning ===
+The term ''system planning'' is used here to represent skilled management of complex uncertainty.
-|- style="height:300px;vertical-align:top;  " |-
+Planning can be defined as the formulation and implementation of processes.  The simple model of:
-|'''About'''
-[[About Engineer-it|About]] Engineer-it
-|}
-'''Note:'''  This resource is under development (14.04.21).  It has not yet been launched.  Please do not make a link to it from another website.
-The ''Engineer-it'' resource, for learners of all ages, provides information about how to 'engineer' successful outcomes particularly in situations of complex uncertanty.   'Engineering' is viewed as an overarching strategy widely used beyond engineering.
+      Input ----->  process  -----> outcomes
-The resource was established in 2021 by the Institution of Engineers in Scotland ([http://www.engineers.scot/ IES]).
+prompts the observation that deep focus on the suitability of the inputs to processes and on the quality of the processes themselves is critical for achieving successful outcomes.  When working with complex uncertainty, it is necessary to ensure that the processes used are the most appropriate in the context. In ''system planning'', such focus is applied to the overall process and to the sub-processes.
+A main feature of system planning is that the processes are adapted to the context and kept under constant review.
-While Engineer-it relates closely to STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) it is not confined to these subject areas.
+System planning also implies that  outcomes are kept under constant review and changes are made in the light of such experience
-Engineer-it is uses the MediaWiki software platform but it is not 'wiki' i.e. there are limited editing rights. However, it is a 'live' resource that is expected to be continually extended and modified
+System planning for structural design is discussed [[Structural design processes|here]]. The need for system planning for the electricity system is discussed [[Energy planning#System planning|here]].
-===Structure of the resource===
+System planning is needed for:
-The resource is divided into 'chapters'.
-There is no fixed process for 'engineering' a  problem but there is a range of strategies that are adopted by people to achieve success in situations of complex uncertainty. Those who seek to address the complex problems of the modern world - sustainability, inequality, energy, climate change, waste, etc. - must use these strategies where they are appropriate.  All who have, or aspire to have, a responsible role in society should discipline their minds to use them.
+* developing government policy, for [[Energy planning|energy,]]  reducing inequality, waste disposal, etc.
+* engineering projects of all kinds: infrastructure, aircraft, microchips, etc.
+* business enterprises
+* health services
+* scientific projects
+* educational programmes
+* etc.
-The [[Strategies for engineered outcomes|Strategies Chapter]] outlines a conceptual framework and the other chapters give instances of the use of the framework.
+===Structure of the resource===
+The resource is divided into 'modules'.
-At present (May 2021) one other chapter on [[Structural Engineering]] is under development
+The [[Strategies for engineered outcomes|Strategies Module]] outlines a conceptual framework that can be used in a wide range of situations, not only in engineering. The other chapters give instances of the use of the framework in specific contexts.
-=== Learning strategies ===
+Those who seek to address the complex problems of the modern world - sustainability, inequality, energy, climate change, waste, etc. - should use these strategies where they are appropriate.  All who have, or aspire to have, a responsible role in society should discipline their minds to use them.
-When learning, some people like start with examples and work from there to theory and basic principles. Others like to do it the other way around.  A main principle behind Engineer-it is that information is provided that can satisfy both of these strategies.
+</div>
-{| class="wikitable"
-|'''Instances                                                       Conceptual information'''
-|-
-|Other chapters                                                         Strategies  chapter
-|-
-|'''  Applications   Examples   Explanations  Theory  Basic principles'''
-|}
-The table above shows a spectrum of types of document from full applications on the left to mainly conceptual information on the right.