A Comparative Study of Scrum and Classical Concurrent Engineering Processes for Space System Design

Kurzfassung

A concurrent engineering study for the design of a CubeSat focused on Earth observation, conducted within the framework of a master course, diverges from traditional methods by incorporating Scrum agile principles as described by Álvarez and Roibás-Millán (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid). Departing from the conventional concurrent engineering process, the study begins with an in-depth discussion of the design approach to establish a prioritization strategy for the project’s requirements. The formulation of Level 0 (mission), Level 1 (system), and Level 2 (subsystem) requirements follows, setting the foundation for the subsequent phases. A pivotal aspect of the study involves a brief but comprehensive review of the identified requirements, ensuring alignment with the project’s overarching goals. The implementation of Scrum agile methods introduces a dynamic and iterative element to the process, with the requirements being tackled in sprints over a concise 4-day period. This time-boxed problem focused approach not only enhances adaptability but also fosters collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, promoting rapid progress and effective problem-solving. This study is strategically designed for comparison with a prior project sharing identical science objectives but following the classic concurrent engineering approach. By deviating from the traditional process, this research aims to evaluate the efficacy of Scrum agile methods in terms of adaptability, collaboration, and the timely achievement of mission-critical requirements. The juxtaposition of results from both studies provides valuable insights into the relative strengths and weaknesses of the agile approach, contributing to the advancement of concurrent engineering methodologies.