Activities Related to Systems Engineering

Abstract

Abstract : The importance of systems engineering in weapon systems development programs, particularly in this era of systems of systems on the battlefield, cannot be overemphasized. Recently, various senior Department of Defense (DoD) officials have voiced the opinion that the systems engineering process is broken. For example, former Secretary of the Air Force James Roche has said, Many of our current system acquisition programs are suffering from a lack of attention to or inconsistent application of good systems engineering principles. This paper and an accompanying paper, An Examination of the Issues Surrounding a National Institute of Systems Engineering (IDA Paper P-3849) report the results of a project undertaken by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to determine the extent of the problem with systems engineering, investigate ongoing activities that promote systems engineering, and consider the potential of using other ongoing efforts and activities to strengthen systems engineering within DoD. This document is intended to serve as a reference for the IDA Paper P-3849, Examination of the Issues Surrounding a National Institute of Systems Engineering. Various ongoing activities and efforts to promote systems engineering were identified during IDA's effort to explore the need for a National Institute for Systems Engineering and to determine the structure and focus if such an organization came to fruition. This document addresses the topics as they pertain to systems engineering: DoD Efforts, Efforts in Other Government Agencies, Associations, Standards and Models, Academic Opportunities, and Academies, Centers, and Labs.