Transportation Management Center Concepts of Operations

The concept of operations can incorporate actions which facilitate evolution of theTMC and its systems. Milwaukee’s MONITOR TMC plans for replacement of itsinformation technology equipment on a 3-year basis, and has incorporated thisprocess into its operational and maintenance plans. Essentially, its concept ofoperations is an ongoing evolution of the information technology tools it uses.Define the Document Maintenance Method, Responsibility,and TimingThe concept of operations provides input to decisions throughout the TMC’s life.Thus, it is essential that it be kept up-to-date so that it can serve as a resource forongoing operations and planning. In particular, it must remain consistent withthe operations and maintenance methods in use. It is a major element in theoperational documentation of the TMC. It is appropriate for the concept ofoperations to be managed under the TMC’s formal configuration managementprogram, and for an organizational unit to be responsible for its periodic reviewand maintenance. This would also include review and revision wheneversignificant changes are made in the systems or procedures of the TMC.Applying aSystemsEngineeringApproach toDevelopingthe Conceptof OperationsWhat is a Systems Engineering Approach?System engineering involves the application of efforts to:1. Transform an operational need into a description of system performanceparameters and a preferred system configuration through the use of aniterative process of functional analysis, synthesis, definition, design, test, andevaluation;2. Incorporate related technical parameters and assure compatability (sic) of allphysical, functional, and program interfaces in a manner that optimizes thetotal system definition and design; and3. Integrate performance, producibility, reliability , maintainability, manability,supportability, and other specialties into the overall engineering effort. (2)“Regardless of the system type and size, one begins with an identified need anda completed feasibility study for the purposes of establishing a set ofrequirements, constraints, and design criteria. Based on the results, functionalanalyses and allocations are generated to apportion the appropriate system-levelrequirements down to the subsystem, unit, and lower levels of the system.System analyses are accomplished to evaluate the various alternative approachesthat are considered feasible in meeting the identified need. The output reflectsa preferred system configuration. Inherent in this activity of requirementsidentification, analysis, and system definition are the feedback provisions…Thesystems engineering process is continuous, iterative, and incorporates thefeedback actions necessary to ensure convergence.” (3)3-2