Nutcase or just nuts about CASE?

Currently it is common practice for Systems engineers (SE) to use a wide range of modeling languages, tools and techniques on large projects, this multi-tool environment drives up cost and complexity. With Computer Aided Systems Engineering (CASE) software you can harness the power of a single, integrated solution across your program.

There is now systems engineering and architecting software solutions designed in different modeling languages to simplify systems development processes and make it more efficient. A new trend is developing to open source architecture for graphical modeling language used by System Engineers. It was established by OMG, INCOSE and AP233, called SysML (System Modeling Language). SysML uses UML 2 as its foundation and provides additional extensions to satisfy the requirements of the language. SE modeling with SysML and software engineering modeling with UML 2 will be able to collaborate on models of software-intensive systems. This will improve communication among the various stakeholders who participate in the systems development process and promote interoperability among modeling tools.

SysML supports the specification, analysis, design, and verification and validation of a broad range of complex systems. These systems may include hardware, software, information, processes, personnel, and facilities.

Vitech established a CORE software which offers a brilliant solution for model-based systems engineering (MBSE). read more

Eskom has big plans but let's talk figures

Eskom recently reported a loss of R9,7-billion for the year. Shocked? There are many power build capital expansion programmes on the way and Eskom estimated that it would require some R385-billion over the next five years. Maroga, Chief Executive Officer at Eskom, said that this capital would go to the bigger committed project already under way, these are the Medupi and Kusile coal-fired projects, as well as the Ingula pumped-storage project.

But where will the finances come from?

A pattern in the midst of chaos.

“Most entrepreneurs travel down the startup path without a roadmap and believe that no model or template could apply to their new venture. They are wrong. For the path of a startup is well worn, and well understood. The secret is that no one has written it down. “

As Steve Blank reflected on his career he realised that although most entrepeneurs feel that their journey is unique, startups deal with the same issues and it troubled him that some venture capitalists could recognise and sometimes predict problems but others manage their startups as if they are travellling through unexplored teritory. He started detecting something deeper, a pattern in the midst of chaos.

After his eighth startup, E.piphany, it became clear to him that there is a better way to manage startups. The difference between the winners and losers is simple: Startups that follows the productcenctric launch model – lose. Those who live by a process of customer learning and discovery - win. He called it Customer Development and explains the importance of this process in parallel with Product Development in his book The 4 Steps to Epiphany.

More about Customer Development later....

It is green. It is sustainable. But it is not free.

To find this picture follow this link

Power and electricity generation from wind is a relatively new technology in South Africa. It is hard to believe when you only focus on the fact that South Africa has abundant wind, especially along the coast. Up until recently though, before Eskom started having power problems and shortages, SA had no serious need to pursue such a capital intensive power project such as wind-power generation.

Times have changed.

Koeberg is not sufficient anymore and South Africa is in serious need of alternative power generation sources.

The basic facts you should know about the R25,4 billion Gautrain project

image reference
 The 80km Gautrain Rapid Rail Link system consists of three anchor stations situated at Johannesburg, Tshwane and the Johannesburg International Airport. Additional stations along its route include Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Hatfield and Rhodesfield. Construction started 28 Sep 2006 and the first phase is scheduled to be completed by June 2010.

Is SA's electricity really expensive or are we just used to it being really cheap?

 South Africa's electricity is currently more expensive than electricity in the US, Israel and Mexico and if Eskom gets its 45% tariff increase every year for three years, South Africa will have the most expensive electricity in the world.

Strategic Planning Thoughts

Strategic Planning Thoughts
Here is another very good strategic planning blog. Definitely worth while to check out.