Functional Training Strategy
As part of the Digital Transformation, many programs are developing multi-functional training plans to include Awareness, Functional & Tool specific training. The AF Digital Guide Functional Curriculum Tracks listed below are a great starting place for a program office looking to transform. These tracks should be tailored based on the activities and software tools the individual program will be doing.
Training is very important, but it was noted during digital program pathfinder interviews that classroom training was 10% of the learning curve, working with others was 20% and hands-on experience provided the other 70% of the learning. Program teams need to schedule time for the program team to gain hands-on experience utilizing newly learned skills and software tools prior to program execution. At this point in the Digital Transformation journey, most program office team members will have limited to no experience utilizing these skills and tools. The same digital pathfinder program interviews which identified the recommended curriculum tracks found that while many program office engineers do have experience using specific modeling tools like MATLAB, Catia, etc; but “digital engineering” tool experience is sparse.
This is still a work in progress so if you have any comments or questions, please email HQAFMCEN.DigitalCampaign@us.af.mil and we will try to address it.
Functional Training Course Content
The first step in developing a functional training plan for yourself or your program is to define what each functional will be doing digitally on the program (e.g., reading models, creating models, participating in peer reviews of models, contributing to model content, etc.) so the particular functional team member can understand why they want to know the information in the training, and how they would be expected to use the knowledge in execution of the program. To help do so, the functional training tracks are grouped into descriptive categories of how they would be functioning in the program office. Team members should follow the track that aligns with what they will be doing digitally on the program.
It should be anticipated that Engineering and Config/Data Management functionals will need the most training; as they will be the ones most likely to be manipulating data in new commercial tools; however, if other functionals on your program will be expected to edit and manipulate particular models they will likely require additional training that is in addition to the default functional track listed below.
Functional Curriculum Training Tracks
All functional members in a program office implementing Digital Acquisition should take the following types of training aligned to their role on the program. Digital Awareness link is provided on separate pages of the Digital Guide. Descriptions of Foundational and Skills training are located at the bottom of this page. Tracks are grouped into descriptive categories based on what that functional may typically do on a digital program with specific training recommendations color coded into Foundational, Skills and Tools courses.
Program tracks:
Program Manager:
Product Support Manager:
Systems Engineer:
Foundational and Skills Training Course Descriptions (DAU Courses Only available to DoD Employees)
This continuous learning module provides key information, from a Systems Engineering perspective. It outlines how Models, Simulations, and Digital Engineering can be a benefit over the entire system life cycle and how M&S and DE can support Systems Engineering processes. https://icatalog.dau.edu/mobile/CLModuleDetails.aspx
Recommended for: Foundational Functional-Specific Digital Awareness Education & Training
This Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) course and the Digital Thread courses featured earlier in this specialization bring together the concepts from across digital manufacturing and design, forming a vision in which the geometry of a product is just one way of describing it. MBSE is where the model resulting from the evolution of system requirements, design, analysis, verification, and validation activities is the focus of design and manufacturing. Students will gain an understanding of systems engineering, the model-based approach to design and manufacturing, the Digital Twin, and a roadmap toward a model-based enterprise.
https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx
Recommended for: Foundational Functional-Specific Digital Awareness Education & Training
The Foundational Intellectual Property (IP) Credential is a cross-functional, general purpose credential providing the DoD acquisition workforce with the knowledge of basic IP and Data rights concepts and skills necessary to effectively acquire, license, and manage IP, as prescribed in the core principles described in DoD Instruction 5010.44, IP Acquisition and Licensing. Candidates who successfully complete the requirements for this credential will understand how to integrate IP planning fully into acquisition strategies and product support strategies to protect core DoD interests over the entire life cycle.
https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx
Recommended for: Program Managers, Product Support Manager, Config/Data Manager, Contracting Officer
The Agile: DoD Team Member credential is a cross-functional, general purpose credential on the tenets and principles of agile that will provide the owner the knowledge and skills necessary to perform on an Agile Program in the DoD. The credential will explore what it takes to perform a successful agile transformation across an organization. The candidate for this credential will take a skills and knowledge assessment demonstrating their mastery of these skills. The owner of this credential will be able to do the following, but not limited to: Create a Product Vision, Create a Product Roadmap, Write a User Story, Participate in an Iteration/Sprint Planning Meeting, and interpret agile metrics.
https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=2147
The targeted attendees for this Credential include Project Manager, Engineering, Test, Logistics, Business, Financial, Others (e.g., Contracting Officers, IT).
This self-paced, web-based course introduces students to the importance of applying SE to acquisition and sustainment programs, provides an overview of SE concepts and process elements, and describes the interactions between SE and other functional areas.
https://www.afit.edu/ls/course.cfm?c=92
Recommended for: System Engineer, Project Engineer
There is a need for all acquisition professionals to understand the interdisciplinary and cross- functional nature of Systems Engineering (SE), and the benefits of following a sound SE process. This course provides the knowledge and understanding necessary to meet this need. Students (engineers and non- engineering professionals) are introduced to SE concepts and the SE process. The activities and tools for implementing and managing the SE process during various phases of the system life cycle, and the interactions between SE and other disciplines/functions are discussed. Exercises give students the opportunity to apply SE tools to the acquisition and sustainment life cycle.
https://www.afit.edu/LS/course.cfm?c=85
Recommended for: System Engineer, Project Engineer
This Model-Based Systems Engineering MBSE workshop introduces students to the Systems Modeling Language SysML using the Cameo Systems Modeler tool while applying the fundamentals of the Object-Oriented System Engineering Method OOSEM. This workshop will provide hands-on tool experience through a set of small exercises including concept refinement, definition, requirements extraction/analysis, trade study analysis, performance modeling and impact analysis. Students will learn about specific modeling elements packages, blocks, internal blocks, use cases, relationships, etc. and diagrams requirement, use case, activity, sequence, parametric, etc., as well as essential standards, conventions and styles. Upon completion, students will be able to interpret rudimentary models in support of programmatic decisions. Students are not required to have any previous experience or exposure to MBSE or SysML prior to attending the course. Students are required to install Cameo Systems Modeler on a local computer personal or government.
https://www.afit.edu/ls/course.cfm?c=353
*NOTE: The AF Digital Transformation office is funding these courses in FY22 for program office usage
Recommended for: System Engineer, Project Engineer, System Modeler
AFIT Graduate Systems Engineering Certificate Program
This graduate Certificate consists of the four SE core courses. As most disciplined engineers in acquisition perform many systems engineering activities, this graduate certificate is highly relevant to most developmental engineers. Such course topics include: modern model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methods and tools, agile software development, the use of System Modeling Language (SysML) and architecture frameworks.
https://www.afit.edu/EN/programs.cfm?a=view&D=52
Recommended for: System Engineer, System Modeler
Additional Intermediate/Advanced MBSE Courses
- Dassault Simulation Toolkit
- Delligatti OCSMP
- Delligatti OOSEM
Object Management Group (OMG) Certified Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP)
- Level 0 – OCSMP Model User
- Level 1 – OCSMP Model Builder – Fundamental
- Level 2 – OCSMP Model Builder – Intermediate
- Level 3 – OCSMP Model Builder – Advanced
Delligatti: OCSMP Accelerator SysML — https://delligattiassociates.com/training/
Recommended for: System Modeler
Teaching Science & Technology Inc: This 4-day course takes a step-wise approach to addressing the “why?”, “what?”, and “how?” of model-based systems engineering (MBSE). The course begins by laying the foundation with a broad overview of the processes, practices, tools and techniques that comprise the emerging discipline of MBSE, with a focus on application for the user, practitioner, as well as model developer. The course reviews the systems engineering framework and protocols that establish the context for MBSE practice. We then examine the evolution of MBSE from paper to software and briefly review the concept and usages of modeling languages (UML, SysML, LML, etc.) and tools.
Recommended for: Test, Quality Control
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Learn the benefits of using models and their simulation to improve engineering processes and provide practical means for system of systems integration planning, improve live test planning, and represent system attributes not easily examined in real-time.
https://options.cps.uah.edu/searchResults.cfm?prgID=3
Recommended for: Test, Quality Control
Software Training Tools
Below is a table of work in progress by the Digital Campaign to document Digital Enterprise software tools training that is available in the market place. The table below lists the course name, objective, training source, what tool the training supports, the format, time requirement, cost, and experience level. In addition, feel free to download the MS Excel file below which has the same information (with working hyperlinks) along with functional roles for each course. If you are aware of differences between this table and your research, please let the Digital Campaign know via email to HQAFMCEN.DigitalCampaign@us.af.mil.