Systems engineering

Systems engineering integrates two disciplines: Engineering, the technical knowledge domain, and Systems which is an interconnected composite of people with tools and process that create a capability to meet an objective.

Two definitions of systems that encompass and summarize Systems Engineering are:

• "A logical sequence of activities and decisions that transforms an operational need into a description of system performance parameters and a preferred system configuration."

• "An interdisciplinary approach that encompasses the entire technical effort, and evolves into and verifies an integrated and life cycle balanced set of system people, products, and process solutions that satisfy customer needs."

"In summary, systems engineering is an interdisciplinary engineering management process that evolves and verifies an integrated, life-cycle balanced set of system solutions that satisfy customer needs."

History of Systems Engineering

The first standards in what is now System Engineering were estabilished by the United States Department of Defense. These standards were put forth in Mil-Std-499 and it was used in the creation complex systems. Examples of these complex systems are submarines, aircraft and nuclear missiles.

Systems engineering education

Many universities offer Systems engineering programs, and the number is growing every year. In addition other engineering programs are moving towards a systems approach in their entire engineering program. Universities and industry normally feel that an engineering or business background, with "real world" experience is needed for the discipline. Therefore, Systems engineering programs are usually at the masters-degree level.

Links

See Also

• Program Management
• Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering

External Links & Related Organizations

• The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)