To understand “What is Systems Engineering?” it is useful to discuss what systems engineers do. Systems engineers are concerned about the “big picture” of a project. They oversee all aspects of a project in a variety of fields, such as electrical, civil, transportation and manufacturing. Systems engineers collaborate with project team members to ensure that the parts (e.g., software, hardware, interfaces, security systems, databases, users, etc.) of the project work together to accomplish its stated purpose. Systems engineering is needs focused and requirements driven.
More formally, the systems engineering organization called the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) defines systems engineering as follows: Systems Engineering is a transdisciplinary and integrative approach to enable the successful realization, use, and retirement of engineered systems, using systems principles and concepts, and scientific, technological, and management methods.
· Transdisciplinary - “transcends” all of the disciplines (i.e., fields of study) involved, and organizes the effort around common purpose, shared understanding and “learning together” in the context of real-world problems or themes. Systems engineering is multidisciplinary, focusing on how users get the technologists to meet their needs.
· Integrative - involves either interdisciplinary (e.g. integrated product teams) or multi-disciplinary (e.g. joint technical reviews) methods
· Engineered Systems - are a composite of people, products, services, information, and processes (and possibly natural components) that provides a capability that satisfies a stated customer need or objective.
· Systems Principles and Concepts - are the ways that systems thinking and the systems sciences infuse systems engineering.
Link to a more detailed definition of SE: https://www.incose.org/about-systems-engineering/system-and-se-definition/systems-engineering-definition
Learn more about Systems Engineering at https://www.incose.org/about-systems-engineering .
Learn more about INCOSE at https://www.incose.org/about-incose.
