Review of Functional Analysis and Allocation (FA&A) Process in Systems

This report critically reviews the Functional Analysis and Allocation (FA&A) process, a key element in systems engineering design. It begins with an introduction to the top-down approach, defining how system requirements are translated into functional and performance criteria. The report details the FA&A process, including its purpose, inputs, outputs, and its staging within the system lifecycle. It explores various approaches and methods for functional analysis, emphasizing the decomposition of top-level functions into sub-functions and the identification of functional interfaces. Furthermore, the report examines different approaches and methods for functional allocation, from the allocation of functions to machines or humans to scenario-based methods and contextual design approaches. The conclusion synthesizes the information presented and highlights the importance of FA&A in the design of integrated systems. References are provided using Harvard referencing style.

FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS AND
ALLOCATION

INTRODUCTION
The top-down process to translate requirements of system into more specific criteria of
functional and performance design is termed as functional analysis and allocation.
Functional analysis analyses and defines the functional requirements of the system.
First step is identifying functions of lower-level that are required in performing several
functions of system.
Functions are allocated to components of system by functional allocation.

OVERVIEW OF FA&A PROCESS
Systematic process to identify, describe and relate functions which must be performed
by a system for becoming successful is termed as functional analysis.
In early phases of life cycle of project, functional analysis manages top-level functions
which are required in the system, where would these functions perform and under what
environmental conditions and operational concepts.
Functional analysis moves to system decomposition’s lower levels for defining
functional interfaces and design of the system.

OVERVIEW OF FA&A PROCESS (CONTINUED)
Functional analysis draws out every functions which must be performed by the system
for meeting the requirements.
Functional analysis is also required for subsequent allocation of requirements and also
in identifying trade studies that are profitable.
Functional analysis describes what is required to be done. Functional allocation is
method of human factors to decide whether particular function would be accomplished
by technology or a person.

APPROACHES FOR FUNCTION ANALYSIS
Requirements for performance and functional in any system level are developed by
requirements of higher-level.
Allocation of system requirements are done and defined with sufficient detail for
providing verification and design criteria to provide support to the design of integrated
system.
Process of top-down for translating system-level requirements in detailed criteria of
design for performance and functional includes:
Defining system with respect to functional terms, then decomposition of top-level
functions to subfunctions which is identification of necessary actions required by the
system at lower levels.

APPROACHES FOR FUNCTION ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Translation of requirements of higher-level performance to constraints
or design criteria of detailed performance and functional.
Defining and identifying every external and internal functional
interfaces.
Determining functional features of existing or directed components
within system and incorporation of them in analysis and allocation.
Examination of every functions of life cycle which include eight major
functions, as required by specific project.

APPROACHES FOR FUNCTION ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Performance of trade studies for determining other functional approaches for meeting
requirements.
Revisiting step of requirement analysis for resolving functional issues.

APPROACHES FOR FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATION
Most processes of function allocation use functional description of system as input for
designing and task descriptions as output are allocated to machines or humans or both.
Recent developments of function allocation has responded through taking scenario as
input for methods of function allocation.
However, function allocation based on scenario use begs question on what is required to
be represented in descriptions of scenario.
Ethnographic approaches are used for researching which analysis is more favourable.

APPROACHES FOR FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATION (CONTINUED)
In method of contextual design, there is use of these 5 models as basis of re-design of
work and concept or vision of work system in future which includes user roles that are
re-defined and latest technology for supporting them.
These views for practice of work rich information source about work related to
articulation and for generating scenarios.
Method of function allocation established in ideas about contextual design could give
richer representations for work practice of decision making of function allocation.

REFERENCES
Buede, D.M. and Miller, W.D., 2016. The engineering design of systems: models and
methods. John Wiley & Sons.
Hollnagel, E., 2017. FRAM: the functional resonance analysis method: modelling
complex socio-technical systems. CRC Press.
Pedrycz, W., 2016. Granular computing: analysis and design of intelligent systems. CRC
press.
Sage, A.P. and Rouse, W.B., 2014. Handbook of systems engineering and management.
John Wiley & Sons.

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