9.2.1 The Many Faces of Systems Engineering

Abstract

AbstractThis article “The Many Faces of Systems Engineering” is based on a qualitative study that included, at its core, dozens of in‐depth interviews with prominent experts in the field. We have conversed with lead systems engineers, high ranking executives, academic experts and experienced consultants. Roughly one half of the study's participants are Israelis, with the other half hailing from a multitude of other countries. We felt it was important to present a wide spectrum of perspectives on this field, as it pertains to the different features of various industries and organizations.The main findings of this study are: Systems engineering is a profession in the making that links the classical engineering disciplines with managerial and organizational systems. since the early 1970's, the need to create integration, both between the various engineering disciplines and between engineering disciplines in general and non‐engineering systems grew constantly. The importance of early planning has increased greatly There is growing in the complexity of technological systems, along with the growing demand for suitable solutions to the needs of customers. This combination requires engineering teams that develop technological products that take into account non‐technological constraints, namely economic and managerial constraints. The systems engineer's work of integration does not begin and end only with a technological context, but is also required in the “human” field, more than ever before A systems engineer is an integrator of people who come from different disciplines, so as to promote technological project. The systems engineer should be essentially people‐oriented with “soft skills” like leadership, communication, teamwork and risk taking. Systems engineers are people who are willing to enter into areas that are outside of their natural territory and they own multidisciplinary capabilities. Systems engineering is a discipline in the making and it is not obvious that organizations will adopt it. Each industry may adopt it in different way. The difference in ‘systemic’ work patterns is not exclusive to comparisons between different industries. Each company has its own unique organizational culture, which affects the working patterns of systems engineering in the same company. It is apparent that the main trends that created the need for systems engineering methodologies (the increase in the complexity of the systems, time and budget constraints and the level of customer involvement) will only expand with time, which will subsequently increase the need for systems engineering as well, especially in high‐tech organizations. Also, we expect that it will be adopted in non technological domains like education, healthcare. This article is part of a study carried out within the “Gordon Center for Systems Engineering” – “The Technion, Israeli Institute of Technology”. This study seeks to examine questions of identity and nature in areas of content and of interest to systems engineers.