Mission Engineering Primer

Area of Interest: Capability Systems, Defence Industry, Systems Engineering,

Course Summary

Mission engineering is gaining popularity in addressing complex operational problems faced by defence forces and industries world-wide. The Mission Engineering Primer will provide the most time-effective delivery of core concepts of mission engineering. Additionally, this learning experience can contribute to the Mission Engineering Foundation 8-Week microcredential at a later date if participants wish to continue their learning journey.

In today's fast-paced and complex world, industries across the spectrum, from defence to healthcare, energy, and beyond, face unprecedented challenges that demand integrated, innovative solutions. Mission engineering provides a holistic approach to tackling these challenges, ensuring that capabilities and strategies align with overarching goals in dynamic and uncertain environments. This course introduces participants to the principles and practices that drive success in complex mission-driven activities. Through active engagement with facilitators and peers, participants will foster meaningful discussion and reflect on learning content.

By completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Describe essential mission engineering and system architecture concepts and key terms and language.
• Relate systems engineering and modelling concepts in mission engineering.
• Apply systems engineering and modelling concepts in mission engineering process.

Duration: 2 Days

Delivery Mode: Hybrid: On-campus and remote - you choose how you would like to attend.

Course Content

● Definition and scope of mission engineering.

● Key terminology in mission engineering.

● Historical context and evolution of mission engineering

● Attributes of problems suited to mission engineering

● Mission engineering processes

● Applicable system engineering concepts

● An introduction to how modelling and simulation can optimise solutions

Who should attend

This course is tailored for those without prior exposure to mission engineering, systems engineering, and complex system theory. It benefits anyone involved in defence, national security, or any industry requiring robust solutions to complex problems, as this course aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate and succeed in today’s multifaceted operational landscapes.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Instructors

Travis Hunt is a Defence Industry Specialist within the UNSW Capability Systems Centre. He holds an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a Master of System Engineering from UNSW. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineers Australia and was awarded Certified Practicing Project Director (CPPD) status by the Australian Institute of Project Management. Travis’ professional career has spanned engineering and project management roles across Defence and into defence industry. Projects have included organisation transformation, capability delivery and development of advanced systems.

As an Industry Specialist, his research and education interests include system engineering, mission engineering and project delivery. Travis is particularly passionate about how contemporary and emerging system engineering and modelling practices can enhance communication and collaboration within multi-disciplined project teams.

Kumudu Amarawardhana is a lecturer at the Capability Systems Centre at UNSW Canberra, specialising in microgrid systems and integrating renewable energy resources. She obtained her doctorate degree from the University of Tasmania and has served as a university lecturer for about five years, making significant contributions to STEMM education in regional areas of Australia. She also holds an MSc in sustainable energy engineering, a certificate in sustainability and economics from Sweden, and a BSc in mechanical engineering (Honours) from Sri Lanka.

With over a decade of experience as an engineer in the Sri Lanka Air Force, she brings invaluable industrial exposure in mechanical, aeronautical, and explosive engineering. Her current focus is on leading a project to professionalise mission engineering in defence and various other industries.