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I have been asked several times, why on earth does this site show the image of a lighthouse; An example of technology you may ask, or a symbol systems engineering, innovation perhaps? No, none of these, is the simple answer, but I have something in mind.

Apart from being an engineer, I enjoy sailing. A pastime and I have a special relationship to lighthouses and beacons of all kinds. Identifying a lighthouse and its beacon at night is like meeting an old friend. Despite, the black of night, perhaps a hostile environment; reduced visibility, other vessels to watch for, a squally shower on the approach and reefing to consider there is nothing more reassuring than the sighting of a beacon with its unique identity and a conformation that all is well. In combination with other beacons I can verify my course, and make adjustments and gain confidence to ensure a safe passage. I was thinking of guidance when I choose this image back when I made of Godrevy Lighthouse (Cornwall, UK).

To my mind the use of beacons as navigational aids for seafarers has a great deal in common with the process of continual validation for engineering systems. Agreed, that seems a bit of a long shot, so let me try and explain.

I am a strong disciple in the capturing system uses in the form use case models, as an instrument and tool for guidance to ask the question; are we building the right system? Once the use cases are agreed upon with stakeholders, the scenarios become an ideal instrument to the validate the system as design progresses and the permutations and possibilities come into view.

What I’m trying to say is, my use cases are those lighthouses, the beacons. Engineering systems can be as difficult as a night at sea in rough weather. As engineers we need the confidence in our course based on real evidence to reach our destination safely.

Just a passing thought: If we are specifying our own lighthouses to engineer the system (seafarers have other experts to do this for them), then we might want to do this with extreme care and listen very carefully to those stakeholders who will be using the system when its ready. Imagine erecting the wrong lighthouse, it doesn’t bear thinking about!