2.2 An Overview of the SE Engine by
    Project Phase
Figure 2.2-1 conceptually illustrates how the SE engine
is used during each of the seven phases of a project.
Figure 2.2-1 is a conceptual diagram. For all of the de-
tails, refer to the poster version of this figure, which ac-
companies this handbook.

The uppermost horizontal portion of this chart is used as
a reference to project system maturity, as the project pro-
gresses from a feasible concept to an as-deployed system;
phase activities; Key Decision Points (KDPs); and major
project reviews.

The next major horizontal band shows the technical de-
velopment processes (steps 1 through 9) in each project
phase. The systems engineering engine cycles five times

from Pre-Phase A through Phase D. Please note that
NASA’s management has structured Phases C and D
to “split” the technical development processes in half in
Phases C and D to ensure closer management control. The
engine is bound by a dashed line in Phases C and D.

Once a project enters into its operational state (Phase E)
and closes with a closeout phase (Phase F), the technical
work shifts to activities commensurate with these last
two project phases.

The next major horizontal band shows the eight tech-
nical management processes (steps 10 through 17) in
each project phase. The SE engine cycles the technical
management processes seven times from Pre-Phase A
through Phase F.

Each of the engine entries is given a 6105 paragraph label
that is keyed to Chapters 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 in this hand-
book. For example, in the technical development pro-
cesses, “Get Stakeholder Expectations” discussions and
details are in Section 4.1.

Formulation                                          Approval                             Implementation
                              Pre-Phase A:                    Phase A:                  Phase B:                 Phase C:                     Phase D:                   Phase E:        Phase F:
                            Concept Studies             Concept & Technology      Preliminary Design &        Final Design &             System Assembly,              Operations &      Closeout
                                                           Development           Technology Completion          Fabrication          Integration & Test, Launch        Sustainment

                                                                                                          Allocated       Product
                         Feasible Concept               Top-Level Architecture    Functional Baseline     Baseline        Baseline                                As-Deployed Baseline



                        Key Decision Points:

                        Major Reviews:


                                      ?                                 ?                   ?                                                  ?
                             4.1                                                                                 4.1




Technical Development
                                                                                                                                                                                ?
                             4.2     5.5                                                                         4.2                          5.5
                                                                                                                                                                                ?
                             4.3     5.4                                                                         4.3                           5.4

                             4.4     5.3       5.2                                                               4.4
                                                                                                                                              5.3       5.2
                              ?      5.1                      ?                      ?                            ?      5.1




                                    6.1                           6.1                     6.1                      6.1                        6.1                         6.1               6.1
                                    6.2




Technical Management
                                    6.3
                                    6.4
                                    6.5
                                    6.6
                                    6.7
                                    6.8                           6.8                     6.8                      6.8                        6.8                         6.8               6.8



           Figure 2.2-1 A miniaturized conceptualization of the poster-size NASA project life-cycle process flow for
                                  flight and ground systems accompanying this handbook
