Technical Planning and Management Flashcards
6 cards from real ASEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Technical Planning and Management flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP)?
Answer: To define how systems engineering will be planned, organized, and executed throughout the project lifecycle
The SEMP defines the approach, organization, resources, processes, and schedule for executing systems engineering activities throughout the project.
What is Earned Value Management (EVM) and how does it support technical management?
Answer: An integrated cost-schedule-technical performance measurement technique that compares planned work, completed work, and actual costs
EVM integrates cost, schedule, and technical scope by comparing planned value, earned value, and actual cost to assess project performance and forecast completion.
What is the purpose of a Technical Review in the systems engineering lifecycle?
Answer: To evaluate technical maturity, verify that technical products meet their requirements, and support informed decision-making at lifecycle milestones
Technical reviews evaluate the maturity and adequacy of technical products at lifecycle milestones, supporting go/no-go decisions for proceeding to the next phase.
How does a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) support systems engineering planning?
Answer: It hierarchically decomposes project scope into manageable work packages that can be estimated, scheduled, and tracked
A WBS decomposes the total project scope into a hierarchy of manageable work packages, providing the foundation for cost estimation, scheduling, and progress tracking.
What is the role of a decision gate in technical management?
Answer: To provide a formal checkpoint where technical maturity is assessed and authorization to proceed is granted based on defined criteria
Decision gates are formal checkpoints where predefined criteria are evaluated to determine whether the project has sufficient technical maturity to proceed to the next phase.
Why is resource planning critical in systems engineering management?
Answer: Inadequate resource planning leads to skill gaps, schedule delays, and quality degradation as workload exceeds available capacity
Resource planning ensures that the right skills, tools, and facilities are available when needed, preventing bottlenecks and quality degradation from overloaded resources.