2.1        Definitions

2.1.1       What is a System?

Everyone uses the term and has an intuitive notion of what a system is, but there is a formal definition. INCOSE and ISO/IEC/IEEE defines a system as:

“A combination of interacting elements organized to achieve one or more stated purposes.”

This general definition covers almost everything you can think of – household appliances, transportation management systems, the latest weapon system – all of these are systems.

The two elements of this definition drive many of the processes we use. They are:

·        Elements that interact. A system is a sum of parts that must work together.

·        Stated purpose. Those elements interact to serve a clearly defined purpose.

Without understanding the purpose, defining what a project must build becomes impossible. But with the purpose defined, those parts and how they are integrated can be measured at every step of procurement from preliminary design to operation.

Reference:  ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288-2015, ISO/IEC/IEEE International Standard – Systems and software engineering – System life cycle processes, https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/15288/5673/

2.1.2       What is Systems Engineering?

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.
• 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.