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ESD research focuses on fundamental principles that
can be applied to multiple industries and business models. Research
into uncertainty and dynamics looks at key sources of uncertainty,
ways to model and quantify uncertainty, and ways to maintain properties
such as safety and resilience as systems change over time. Basic
approaches to tackling uncertainty include building in robustness
and flexibility, aiming to minimize risk and maximize opportunities.
New Approaches to Accident Modeling and
System Safety
ESD researchers are developing new, more powerful accident causality
models and risk management techniques that can handle the complexity
of today’s technical and social systems. Using systems and
control theory as the mathematical foundations and a causality
model (called STAMP) that expands traditional models, the researchers
are constructing computational models of the static (structural)
and dynamic aspects of complex, socio-technical systems to provide
information about potential risks. Read
more.
Uncertainty in Impacts of Global Climate
Change
This effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is complicated
by the wide range of uncertainty in future projections of climate.
A primary focus of the climate change research at MIT is to characterize
the uncertainty in future climate impacts. Using MIT’s Integrated
Global System Model, ESD researchers have performed a rigorous
assessment of the most critical uncertain assumptions in the model.
Read more.
Understanding and Managing Uncertainty in
Lean Aerospace Product Development
This master’s thesis in the System Design and Management
program by Steven Bresnahan presents a framework for creating
value by efficiently and effectively managing uncertainty and
mitigating risks during aerospace system development. Read
more.
Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions for Flu
Preparedness and Response
This research focuses on the simple behavioral changes that can
reduce the incidence of infection. Merging probabilistic model
building with social science and management principles, this research
shows that simple, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) could
significantly reduce the death toll of an epidemic. Read
more.
CO2 Geological Storage Options
A multi-disciplinary team looked at the challenge of regulating
carbon dioxide capture and storage. The research combined legal
analysis of potential tort liability from seismicity that might
be induced by carbon injection into geological formations and
from contractual liability from carbon dioxide leakage from structures,
with a technical review and assessment of sequestration
options. Read more.
Real Options in System Design
This research focuses on the development of valuable flexibility
in designs. Conceptually and professionally, this work lies midway
between standard engineering (which does not consider design flexibility
in any detail) and financial real options analysis (which does
not look at design). ESD’s research team has developed a
“screening model” approach to the core problem of
identifying the system elements that should be flexible in order
to increase value. Read
more.
Strategic Materials Decisions: Systems Insights
to Improve Recyclabilty
Materials choices affect every aspect of the life cycle of every
product, from materials production to manufacture to use, end-of-life,
and materials recovery. Product and materials recycling can limit
the environmental impacts of manufacturing processes, but its
implementation has been largely opportunistic, rather than grounded
in an appreciation of the interactions among materials science,
production technology, materials markets, and product life cycles.
Using simulation and stochastic optimization methods, the ESD
research team has developed recycling strategies that include
redesign of materials, products, recycler processes, recovery
infrastructure, and policy. Read
more.
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“What
You Should Do About Tainted Goods from China and Other Global
Supply Chain Risks”
CIO Magazine – September 25, 2008
“Slowdown
in Deals Poses Challenge for Index Makers”
National Real Estate Investor – March 16, 2009
“Insane
Bailout – Why come to the rescue of Detroit’s recidivists?”
Forbes.com – December 9, 2008
“Dilemma
of a downturn: to force pay cuts or slash jobs?”
The Financial Times – November 5, 2008
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“Engineering Systems Solutions to
Real World Challenges: An Overview”
The IBM-MIT/ESD Innovation Lecture Series
Linda Sanford
View
on MIT World.
“Design of Adaptable Supply Chains”
ESD PhD student Shardul Phadnis shares his research on the design
of adaptable supply chains.
View
on MIT World.
“Spreading Power but not Bombs: Introducing
Maths to Nuclear”
ESD PhD student Blandine Antoine shares her research on quantitative
assessment of proliferation risks.
View
on MIT World.
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The
Resilient Enterprise: Overcoming Vulnerability for Complete Advantage
Yossi Sheffi
Safeware:
System Safety and Computers
Nancy Leveson
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