The Discipline of Systems Engineering

This chapter explores the elements of systems engineering that include: origination, evolution, impact on the business and organization. It examines the origination and evolution of the discipline of systems engineering, the resulting terminology changes, and standards development. The chapter explains how systems engineering emerged as a discipline. It describes the evolution of the systems engineering discipline. The chapter also explores the impact of systems engineering within businesses. It presents a case study to demonstrate the application of systems engineering processes. The chapter provides a summary checklist of the key concepts to assist learning. It discusses Apply Now exercises to assist in the application of the concepts. The design disciplines include software and hardware engineering, reliability and maintainability, human factors, environmental, safety and security, manufacturing/production, support, and many others. Project complexity challenges that systems engineers are attempting to address are the areas of high risk that can often make a project unmanageable.