Future of Systems Engineering

Abstract

Systems engineering has evolved as a practice‐based discipline with a matured set of processes covering the life cycle of the system. The engineering basis is however tenuous, as we cannot always ensure the system will be successful. All engineering disciplines start in practice and, over time, evolve with the discovery of the underlying scientific principles that provide a solid foundation for the discipline. Systems engineering is following a similar course, with the recognition that it is also a sociological endeavor integrating, coordinating, and facilitating all the engineering disciplines. As a direct step from the systems engineering heuristics, a set of systems engineering principles emerged that incorporate the engineering basis and the sociological basis and are broader than system principles, that is, principles that define how a system functions. Systems scientists researched the mathematical basis of systems engineering for some time. Recent work has begun to show that mathematical category theory is the basis for defining systems. The future of systems engineering intertwines the scientific/mathematical engineering basis, system modeling advances, and advancements in technological and sociological practices to advance the ability of systems engineering to define systems, shorten design analysis cycles, validate systems, and effectively operate and maintain systems.

Model‐based architecting evaluation method for the delivery of complex nuclear projects

“…This approach indeed allows completing the principles of an MBSE approach by a pattern-based SE strategy. 31 In addition, many benefits are described for conducting evaluations: such as the ability to integrate evaluation data into system models and to ensure consistency between different teams working on the same system.…”

Toward an integrated project complexity narrative – A case study of academic organizations

“…24 However, an expanding literature on networks, complexity, and complex adaptive systems theory has been developed to support the SE approach to complex systems. 15,[24][25][26][27][28] As with any expanding field of knowledge, the "theory -practice gap" is known, that is, busy systems engineers and project managers rarely have the time to keep up with the literature, which often is diffused across the many interdisciplinary applications of complex systems science. 29 An early description of complexity appeared in Weaver's seminal paper in 1948, titled: "Science and complexity", in which the concept of organized and disorganized complexity was introduced.…”

“…The SE discipline has evolved its practices via experientially developed principles and heuristics 24 . However, an expanding literature on networks, complexity, and complex adaptive systems theory has been developed to support the SE approach to complex systems 15,24–28 . As with any expanding field of knowledge, the “theory – practice gap” is known, that is, busy systems engineers and project managers rarely have the time to keep up with the literature, which often is diffused across the many interdisciplinary applications of complex systems science 29 …”

It's Not Just Counting the Women: Gender Diversity and Systems Engineering

“…The Complex Systems Working Group (CSWG) has explored from a complexity perspective the sociological dimensions in systems engineering (Watson et al, 2019). This theme was also given attention in a 2019 INSIGHT issue on the theme of the "Future of Systems Engineering" (Watson, 2019). The 2019 Diversity issue of INSIGHT has authors from many different INCOSE working groups coming together to discuss organizational systems and gender and cultural systems.…”