What is the main goal of functional analysis?

The main goal of functional analysis is to create a functional architecture. This process involves identifying and defining the different functions that a system must perform to meet stakeholder needs. By breaking down the overall system into specific functions, systems engineers can understand how these functions interact and contribute to the system's overall purpose.

Functional architecture serves as a blueprint for the system's operation, focusing on what the system must accomplish rather than how it will accomplish it. This separation of 'what' from 'how' is crucial in systems engineering, especially in the early stages of design when defining the system requirements and ensuring all necessary capabilities are addressed.

Thus, the emphasis on developing a structured representation of the system's intended functions ensures that the design accurately captures the needs it is intended to fulfill, which is central to effective systems engineering practices.