~ CONCEPT PHASE ENGINEERING ~

During the concept phase, the systems engineers establish the architecture of the system.  Multiple concepts are generated and evaluated. The field of possible concepts is narrowed to those that will meet the requirements while presenting the opportunity for a manageable system.

In the concept phase, there is no detailed design.  Rather, the overall parameters are established, usually in a functional block diagram or a requirements matrix.  For example, we might establish a concept for a factory that outlines the total area, the expected investment, the expected capacity, and the number of workers.  The feasibility is assessed using some detailed analysis.  In the concept phase, the economic parameters required for viability are established.