Synthesis and Evaluation of Engineering Processes for the Development of Airborne Electronic Equipment

In this chapter, the design of a new framework for developing airborne electronic equipment is presented. Classical development standards and methods in the avionics space were reviewed and improved using principles obtained from modern development methods. Airworthiness and procurement considerations were considered in the new framework. A Design Science Research paradigm was used pragmatically to develop a new framework for platform-specific airborne electronic equipment. Quality Research Management was applied to align real-world requirements with research objectives, while Action Design Research was applied to ensure the practice-inspired research effort improved the theoretical knowledge base. Prior cases in the avionics development environment were used to inform a real-world case study. A qualitative meta-analysis of standards and academic literature, combined with an evolutionary (longitudinal) approach, produced a theoretical process model that was used to underpin detailed development processes at different levels in the hierarchy. The development of prototype constructs, in the form of evolutionary (emergent) models, allowed the incremental and iterative design of the new framework. Final validation of the new framework was achieved when a review committee evaluated and accepted the new framework as a valid procurement process to be implemented in practice.