A definition of Systems Engineering could be found on the website of INCOSE, the International Council for Systems Engineering. Fundamentally, a system is a collection of components (that could be systems as well) that work together in an orchestrated manner to accomplish some goals or provide some functionality. Systems Engineering is the discipline whose members seek to develop and practice increasingly better and more efficient methods and processes for realizing systems. This definition overlaps but is different from the INCOSE fellows consensus definition of Systems Engineering. In particular, there is no commitment to particular methods or processes in our definition. The guiding principle is commitment for improvement in realizing better and better systems.
We live in a world where products or systems are increasingly more complex. Failures of systems could have disastrous outcomes and successes are must more predictable if development processes follow some structured process. The answers to these challenges are a central concern of Systems Engineering.
Our approach is comprehensive; it integrates research, practice, and education. These perspectives work together as a complex system. The foundation of our work relies on studies of knowledge management and product development, in particular, through the n-dim project. From this and other experiences, evolved a perspective that seeks to develop simple tools that integrate naturally with the working environment of engineers and that can enhance the limitations of people in dealing with complex information. Some of the projects born out of this perspective are listed below.
The methods are suitable for diverse applications and disciplines, therefore are really systems' level methods. RQFD and SOS could be applied to any product or system (e.g., consumer product, software, service, medical treatment, as well as an educational setting). Infused design could be used in diverse interdisciplinary domains therefore it connects different disciplines in a systems' level approach.
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modified: 5/12/2014 5:35:00 PM