Expanding systems integration beyond nuclear deterrence

<strong>BEYOND DETERRENCE</strong> — Carl Vanecek leads a systems integration all-hands meeting at Sandia on March 31, emphasizing that systems integration is applicable to all work at Sandia, not just nuclear deterrence. “This all-hands is our flagship event,” he said. (Photo by Alicia Bustillos) — **BEYOND DETERRENCE** — Carl Vanecek leads a systems integration all-hands meeting at Sandia on March 31, emphasizing that systems integration is applicable to all work at Sandia, not just nuclear deterrence. “This all-hands is our flagship event,” he said. (Photo by Alicia Bustillos)

<strong>LEADING IN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION</strong> — Labs Director Laura McGill talks about Sandia’s role as lead systems integrator during an all-hands meeting in March. “We are uniquely situated to serve this role. Sandia is the lab that’s primarily focused on engineering in the nuclear security enterprise, and we work directly with the military services to understand their operational constraints. We’re experienced in translating leading-edge science and technology and making it work in a complex system,” she said. “It’s important to live up to our expectations as lead systems integrator in the enterprise.” (Photo by Alicia Bustillos)<br> — **LEADING IN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION** — Labs Director Laura McGill talks about Sandia’s role as lead systems integrator during an all-hands meeting in March. “We are uniquely situated to serve this role. Sandia is the lab that’s primarily focused on engineering in the nuclear security enterprise, and we work directly with the military services to understand their operational constraints. We’re experienced in translating leading-edge science and technology and making it work in a complex system,” she said. “It’s important to live up to our expectations as lead systems integrator in the enterprise.” (Photo by Alicia Bustillos)

Sandia is showcasing how systems integration can be applied beyond nuclear deterrence programs.

“Systems integration applies at any level, any component and any service at Sandia,” said Carl Vanecek, who leads Sandia’s systems integration effort. “It’s an enabling approach and a best practice that everyone should be using.”

Systems integration focuses on effective partnering and operating without bias to deliver solutions that meet end users’ needs. Sandia is the lead system integrator for nuclear weapons programs and several other national security missions.

Over the past four years, Sandia has been working to establish and enact systems integration principles and practices, and the Labs is extending these beyond nuclear deterrence programs. Elements include ensuring that key decisions are made at the right time, that all stakeholder equities are accounted for and that enterprise resources are used effectively and efficiently.

“My call to you, especially if this is new, is to learn more and start doing it,” Carl said during an all-hands meeting on March 31. “There are many opportunities to get involved.”

Four programs showcased how they use systems integration principles.

The Power Sources Capability project discussed how a mission-enabling organization such as facilities uses systems integration and focuses on ensuring solutions are delivered while understanding technical capabilities.
The W80-5 program focused on how understanding partner equities helps deliver a better solution.
The drifter project exemplified the importance of transparent communication and trusted relationships.
The counter-unmanned aerial systems strategy highlighted the value of engaging the right expertise, even if it is not from Sandia.

Labs Director Laura McGill provided closing remarks and encouraged Sandians to be curious.

“Systems integration is also a mindset,” Laura said. “It’s driven by the curiosity to understand how the part or subcomponent you’re working on fits into the bigger system and how it’s all going to work together seamlessly. When we do systems integration well, we deliver better performance and capability for the nation, and we do it faster.”

Sandia employees interested in systems integration can click here to learn more.

Sandia’s systems integration principles and best practices

Principle 1: Ensure solutions are delivered within achievable technical capabilities and programmatic constraints.
Principle 2: Operate without bias and independently from Sandia’s internal equities and priorities.
Principle 3: Coordinate and account for all system interdependencies across all stakeholders.
Principle 4: Ensure timely decisions, documented and defensible, and a disagreement resolution methodology.
Principle 5: Maintain transparent communications and trusted relationships with all stakeholders.
Principle 6: Know and engage the right expertise, even if it’s not from Sandia.

Sandia Lab News

Expanding systems integration beyond nuclear deterrence

Sandia’s systems integration principles and best practices

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