Systems Engineering Professional Research Articles

Why Mountain Bike Trails Try to Scare You Off

ABSTRACTINCOSE Certification looks for multiple pillars of skills. Some candidates have a pillar in Systems Engineering, a pillar in other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) skills, and a pillar in a domain (or multiple pillars in these areas). What does that look like on an application for INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)? How do our Certification Application Reviewers (CARs) assess it? This article goes far from the commonly discussed domains and products of systems engineering and looks at how leading a bike ride can be done better by using systems engineering principles. It concludes with whether applying Systems Engineering in such an unusual case is enough to qualify a candidate for CSEP.

Developing Competence in the Systems Engineering Professional Competencies

AbstractThis paper provides research‐grounded methods for improving one's competence in the INCOSE Professional Competencies, while recognizing that improvement strategies may not be universally applicable due to gender‐ and culturally‐based differences in strengths and weaknesses relative to the Professional Competencies.

The State of Systems Engineering Technical Practice versus Discipline: A Survey of INCOSE Chapter Attendees in North America

AbstractIn 2017, the author initiated a Systems Engineering (SE) Fundamentals Research Project to assess the “current state” of SE practice versus the “should be state” of the discipline of SE. Peer level Engineering often question and challenge SE as a domain of Engineering due to a lack of codified concepts, principles, and practices despite having a body of knowledge.This paper summarizes results of a series of research surveys concerning the “gap” between the state of SE practice versus the discipline of SE. Survey results represent “core samples” from INCOSE chapter meeting attendees at geographically dispersed locations in North America. Survey participants included INCOSE Systems Engineering Professionals (SEPs) i.e., INCOSE Acquisition SEPs (ASEPs), Certified SEPs (CSEPs), Expert SEPs (ESEPs), Non‐SEP members, and non‐members. Project survey results correlate with Wasson's (2018) personal assessment over 30 years and serve as a frame of reference for INCOSE's Future of SE (FuSE) Team for instituting corrective actions to achieve its Vision 2025.The paper concludes with findings and recommended corrective actions that industry, government, academia, professional societies, and standards organizations collectively need to reestablish SE technical core competency as a cornerstone of the discipline of SE. Then, in combination with SE Management and processes, achieve a proper balance between the two (Ryschkewitsch, et al, 2009).

Insights on the Experiences and Education of INCOSE‐Certified Expert Systems Engineering Professionals and Chief Systems Engineers

AbstractResearchers analyzed applications of individuals who were certified as INCOSE Expert Systems Engineering Professionals (ESEPs); these applications cover the period of March 2010 to May 2014. The applications include detailed descriptions of relevant systems engineering positions as well as the educational background of applicants, and analysis focused on these areas. The team compared its findings on the broader ESEP population with a subset of ESEPs who had held positions as Chief Systems Engineers (CSEs) or similar positions. The analyses provide insights into the backgrounds of CSEs, such as: the most common master's degree is in business and that by the time they complete their first assignment as a CSE, they are likely to have already performed nearly all of the 16 roles for developing systems engineers identified by the Helix project. (Hutchison 2015, Pyster et al. 2015a and 2015b) These findings were compared with findings on chief systems engineers from the Helix project.

The Path to Version 0.75 of the Proposed INCOSE Systems Engineering Competency Framework

AbstractThis paper describes the efforts and results so far to evolve the INCOSE Competency Framework to the next stage: Version 0.75. This paper describes how the proposed framework has been aligned with a number of other frameworks, competency models, bodies of knowledge and initiatives. These include but are not limited to the DoD's Better Buying Power 3.0 Implementation Plan, the Defense Acquisition University Competency Model, the US Navy's Systems Engineering Competency Career Model, the new INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook Fourth Edition and the Systems Engineering Professional Certification Program. This paper also describes current efforts to develop an initial draft Role Definition Guide that will describe the typical roles that systems engineers may assume. The paper concludes by exploring all the remaining coordination activities and other actions required to successfully develop and publish Version 0.75 and eventually Version 1.0.

INCOSE Certification Program Knowledge Exam Update 2015

AbstractThe International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) has offered a Professional Certification Program since 2004 as a means to recognizing the knowledge and experience of Systems Engineering professionals. To become an Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), a candidate must pass a timed, multiple‐choice knowledge exam based on the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook. This paper will describe the motivation and process of creating the INCOSE certification knowledge exam, as followed in 2014 to support the 2015 update of the exam. This paper will also capture the impacts of the ongoing updates to the Certification Program. The new exam, released on 1 May 2015, aligns with the 2015 release of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook version 4.

The Education Background of INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional Certification Program Applicants

AbstractHelix is a multi‐year research project of the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) that is developing a theory of what makes those who perform systems engineering effective. To support that research, Helix is collecting data from a diverse set of systems engineers, others who perform some systems engineering activities but do not think of themselves as systems engineers, and those who work with systems engineers. Among the data sources available to Helix is the complete set of applications between 2004 and 2013 that were submitted to the INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional Certification Program. This paper reports on the education background of 2504 applicants and includes the number and types of university degrees and how the most popular degrees of applicants have changed over time. The applicants are very well educated, with almost 70% having an advanced college degree. With nearly three‐quarters of the applicants coming from the US, education from US universities dominates. At the bachelor level, classical engineering degrees dominate, but computer‐related majors are becoming increasingly popular. Two of the most popular masters degrees earned since 2000 are the Master of System Engineering and the Master of Business Administration.

Systems Engineering Professional Certification Return on Investment

INSIGHTVolume 16, Issue 1 p. 13-14 Special Feature Systems Engineering Professional Certification Return on Investment Mark A. Wilson, Mark A. Wilson mark.wilson2@incose.org Search for more papers by this author Mark A. Wilson, Mark A. Wilson mark.wilson2@incose.org Search for more papers by this author First published: 23 June 2015 https://doi.org/10.1002/inst.201316113AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume16, Issue1April 2013Pages 13-14 RelatedInformation

Updated Logos for INCOSE's Systems Engineering Professional Program

Updated Logos for INCOSE's Systems Engineering Professional Program

4.4.2 INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook v3.2: Improving the Process for SE Practitioners

AbstractThe INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook is the official INCOSE reference document for understanding systems engineering (SE) methods and conducting SE activities. Over the years, the Handbook has evolved to accommodate advances in the SE discipline and now serves as the basis for the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) exam. Due to its evolution, the Handbook had become somewhat disjointed in its treatment and presentation of SE topics and was not aligned with the latest version of International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 15288:2008, Systems and Software Engineering. As a result, numerous inconsistencies were identified that could confuse practitioners and directly impact the probability of success in passing the CSEP exam. Further, INCOSE leadership had previously submitted v3.1 of the Handbook to ISO/IEC for consideration as a Technical Report, but was told that the Handbook would have to be updated to conform with the terminology and structure of new ISO/IEC15288:2008, Systems and software engineering, prior to being considered.The revised INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook v3.2 aligns with the structure and principles of ISO/IEC 15288:2008 and presents the generic SE life‐cycle process steps in their entirety, without duplication or redundancy, in a single location within the text. As such, the revised Handbook v3.2 serves as a comprehensive instructional and reference manual for effectively understanding SE processes and conducting SE and better serves certification candidates preparing for the CSEP exam.

Prepare for SE Certification with an INCOSE Tutorial

AbstractInterested in Systems Engineering certification? John O. Clark will present a 2‐day tutorial immediately preceding the IS10 Conference. This tutorial provides an overview of the INCOSE SE Handbook to help you prepare for the INCOSE SE Certification exam. The tutorial covers the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) process as well as the sections and appendices of the SE Handbook, Version 3.1 (the basis for the certification exam), in a study group format. It also provides example exam questions and tips on filling out your CSEP application. The tutorial consists of 16 sections from Saturday, July 10 through Sunday, Sunday July 11, from 8:00 a.m. ‐ 5:00 p.m. each day. The tutorial hardcopies, certificate of completion, and refreshments are included. For more information on the CSEP application process see http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certification/, and to apply on‐line in advance of the tutorial see the IS10 Registration site, or contact John Clark at (tjohn.clark@incose.org). Registrants are encouraged, but not required, to attend the IS10.

The Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Program Rollout Plan

INSIGHTVolume 8, Issue 1 p. 42-42 INCOSE Infrastructure The Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Program Rollout Plan Karl C. Geist, Karl C. Geist karl.geist@navy.mil Search for more papers by this author Karl C. Geist, Karl C. Geist karl.geist@navy.mil Search for more papers by this author First published: 23 June 2015 https://doi.org/10.1002/inst.20058142AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume8, Issue1October 2005Pages 42-42 RelatedInformation

The Certified Systems Engineering Professionals (CSEPs) are honored at the 2005 International Workshop (IW)

INSIGHTVolume 8, Issue 1 p. 43-43 INCOSE Infrastructure The Certified Systems Engineering Professionals (CSEPs) are honored at the 2005 International Workshop (IW) Karl C. Geist, Karl C. Geist karl.geist@navy.mil Search for more papers by this author Karl C. Geist, Karl C. Geist karl.geist@navy.mil Search for more papers by this author First published: 23 June 2015 https://doi.org/10.1002/inst.20058143AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume8, Issue1October 2005Pages 43-43 RelatedInformation

3.6.2 Successful Integration of Systems Engineering and Program Management Processes

AbstractSince the inception of Systems Engineering as a discipline, Systems Engineers (SEs) have been providing technical leadership toward the successful completion of projects. As the science of project management has evolved, SEs and Project Managers (PMs) have grown more interdependent. In fact, there are many similarities in the skills required for Systems Engineers and Project Managers.This paper will provide a summary of the shared skills between both SE and PM professionals. A description of the interaction between SE and PM disciplines in various organizational structures will also be presented. A comparison will be made between PMI's view of product realization and the standard “Vee Diagram” process understood by most Systems Engineering professionals. And lastly, this paper will conclude with a description of the project management process followed at the Harris Corporation. Survey results will be presented illustrating the distribution of traditional project management functions between Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and Project Engineers.