About the INCOSE Michigan Chapter

The Michigan Chapter is one of the newest and most diverse in the world with approximately 85 members associated with over two dozen organizations.  Most of our members are affiliated with one of the many major automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, medical device, healthcare, consumer goods or information technology companies operating in Michigan.  Other members represent the growing entrepreneurial start-up movement which has taken root in the state.  Still others are affiliated with major Michigan universities and some government agencies.

Our primary goal at this time is to support and increase Michigan INCOSE membership by establishing the Chapter as a leading force in creating a highly dynamic and innovative systems engineering community within the State of Michigan.

Mission Statement

The INCOSE Michigan Chapter strives to foster a world-class systems engineering environment for it's current and future membership.

It is our belief that systems engineering principles and practices offer the best solution for Michigan organizations struggling to compete in today's global marketplace, and that the proper application of systems engineering can directly contribute to the overall betterment of the social, economic and environmental condition of the state.  When the aim is to improve cost, quality and schedule performance -- whether in industry, government or education -- it is our conviction that systems engineering provides the most viable organized approach for doing so.

Strategy

1. Improve the systems engineering work environment for our members by educating business leaders and corporate middle management regarding the business case and the key success factors for systems engineering projects.
2. Improve the performance of systems engineering teams by encouraging INCOSE members to take advantage of INCOSE resources (e.g., the SE Handbook, SE Certification, etc.).
3. Promote the benefits of systems engineering and INCOSE in general while establishing liaisons and synergistic partnerships with key institutions, organizations and individuals.

Goals for 2008

1. Increase membership by 50% to over 125 members.
2. Establish a permanent process for organizing and holding Chapter meetings and other activities (e.g., symposiums, workshops, technical exchanges) on a regular basis.
3. Establish a permanent process for maintenance of the Chapter Website.
4. Establish liaisons with 4 new educational, government and professional engineering institutions in the state.
5. Establish a relationship with 3 new Michigan-based CAB organizations.
6. Update the Chapter By-Laws (early in the year).
7. Maintain a Chapter Requirements Management process for the purpose of defining and meeting the expectations of INCOSE Central and our Michigan membership. 

Objectives for 2008

1. 100% membership awareness of Chapter activities.
2. Hold 1 or regional event(s).
3. Hold 4 or more Chapter meetings.  A key focus of at least one meeting, preferably the largest, shall be to recruit new members.
4. Chapter Board Member participation in Region IV, Membership Committee and 2007 IW and IS functions.
5. Maintain basic Chapter information and communications system which substantially improves the ease of interaction between the members and between the Chapter leadership and the members.