INCOSE eNote: News and Notes from the INCOSE Network
Volume 3 Issue 2, 8 March 2006
To better recognize the value that our senior members bring to INCOSE and to encourage them to stay active, sharing their knowledge and experience, INCOSE is introducing a new Senior member category for the 2006/2007 member year. Senior members take advantage of reduced annual dues of $55, receive a 50% discount on their registration and other program fees for the International Symposium, and have the registration fee for the International Workshop waived. Please note that, if you take advantage of this offer, you will have access to the Journal and INSIGHT via the INCOSE website only.
Individual members qualify for the Senior category if they are at least 64 years of age at the start of the membership year (June 1) and have maintained their individual membership for the five membership years prior to applying for the Senior category. Those seeking Senior member status to take advantage of the discounted fees at the International Symposium must renew their membership prior to registering for the symposium (senior member status must be confirmed by the Central Office before individuals can register at the discounted rate).
Additional information on the Senior member category can be found on the membership types page of the INCOSE website.
Come to Florida and learn how the theme Systems Engineering: Shining Light on the Tough Issues applies to the broad scope of systems engineering. See how systems engineering activities in commercial, academic, and government environments are generating new best practices, novel technologies, and new methodologies. Attend outstanding papers, panels, and tutorials covering case studies, developmental work, and technical analysis. Enjoy entertaining and fascinating keynote speakers and special events. Bookmark the symposium website, and come back often to see the plans as they progress. Mark your new 2006 calendars and allocate your budgets, so you can be sure to join systems engineers from around the world at the Sixteenth Annual INCOSE International Symposium July 9-13, 2006. See you in Orlando!
 The result of a joint project conducted between the Practical Software and Systems Measurement (PSM), INCOSE, and various companies, the Technical Measurement Guide provides information on implementing technical measurement on a project. This guide describes how technical measurement can be applied, using the measurement process described in Practical Software and Systems Measurement, which is the basis for much of the INCOSE measurement guidance (INCOSE is part of the PSM project team). Lessons learned in the areas of establishing commitment, planning, and performing measurement are identified. All information is intended to reflect actual proven practice.
INCOSE and the Object Management Group (OMG) completed their evaluations of the two Systems Modeling Language (SysML) submissions. The results provided valuable input to both teams some of which have been incorporated into an update specification. In parallel with the evaluation, there has been an effort to merge both submission teams. At the OMG meeting the week of 13 February, Jan Popkin announced the formation of the new SysML Merge Team (SMT). The SMT was able to reach consensus on a single SysML specification v0.99. The SMT plans to submit their final revised submission v1.0 to the OMG for adoption at the next meeting the week of 24 April in St Louis. Additional information on the evaluation and the SysML v0.99 submission, along with the SMT presentation to the OMG, is available from the SE Domain Special Interest Group website.
During the 2006 International Workshop, INCOSE introduced a new member pin. This 14K gold filled lapel pin is a special mark of membership and was distributed to all workshop attendees as well as all leaders across the organization in appreciation of their dedication and service to INCOSE. Those interested can purchase the new member pin from the online INCOSE store.
In 2004, INCOSE established the Major Projects Office to better support the Top 5 initiatives, particularly during the restructuring of the Technical Infrastructure. This focus along with the project team efforts has resulted in significant progress made across the Top 5 over the last eighteen months. The classification project has been completed, SE Handbook v3 and INCOSE Product Asset Library (IPAL) are nearing release, the SE Vision is at version 1.5, and SE Certification is in operation. Given this progress and the maturation of the Technical Infrastructure, the Major Projects Office has largely fulfilled its vision by helping INCOSE advance to this stage. At the IW 2006, the Board of Directors elected to close the Major Projects Office and revise the reporting chain for the remaining “Top 4” projects:
- SE Handbook v3 and IPAL will now report to the INCOSE Technical Director, Samantha Brown
- SE Vision will report to the CAB Chair, Ayman El-Fatatry
- SE Certification will report to President-Elect Pat Hale in his role as INCOSE’s chief operating officer
The demands of publishing INCOSE INSIGHT, the quarterly INCOSE newsletter, now exceed what we can expect from a volunteer position. In order to take INSIGHT to the next level, INCOSE is seeking qualified candidates for a contract position as Chief Editor of INSIGHT. This request for services is open to INCOSE members and non-members who satisfy the criteria. This is a paid  contract position with a two year period of performance. Compensation could be as high as $5,000 per issue ($20,000 per year) based upon qualifications.
All applicants must submit a resume and brief description of their qualifications to be considered for this position. Applications should be submitted to INCOSE Central Office, attention: Shirley Bishop and must be received by 15 March 2006. For more information, see the formal Call for Services on the INCOSE website.
Graduate students performing research in systems engineering and integration are encouraged to apply for the INCOSE Doctoral Award. This award provides a $5,000 cash grant to the candidate, a plaque, and recognition at the 2006 International Symposium.
To be eligible for this prestigious award, the applicant must have been admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. and have a research proposal approved by his or her doctoral committee. Additional details and application forms can be found on the INCOSE website. Applications from interested doctoral candidates must be received by 15 April for consideration.
George Friedman, adjunct professor of engineering at USC and former president of INCOSE, has been appointed as INCOSE’s liaison to the IEEE Systems Council. INCOSE is looking forward to collaborating with the Systems Council on future events and initiatives as we work to advance the state of the art and state of the practice of systems engineering.
Review of INCOSE's various technical products – handbooks, guidebooks, papers, panels, and more - is essential as we deliver first-class materials to our members and are seen by the rest of the engineering profession as a worthy professional society. Join the INCOSE review team and help ensure our products meet professional standards. To date, approximately 120 members have registered as reviewers. We hope to double this number so, if you feel you are qualified to be a reviewer for some or all of the Technical Matrix elements and could possibly find some time for this activity when required, please contact the review team today.
The Project Management Institute Risk SIG and & Institute for International Research present the 2006 Project Risk Symposium May 22 – 25 in Houston, Texas, USA. INCOSE has partnered with this event to provide our members special savings. Mention priority code XM1812INCOSEEM to save 15% off the standard conference price!
This symposium provides an in-depth, customizable and comprehensive opportunity for those involved in risk management to examine, advance and improve project risk management practices. Learn from leaders in Oil & Gas, Aerospace & Defense, Service, Finance & Construction, among many others. This event is comprised of cross industry cutting edge content, and you will also learn key methodologies, techniques, case studies & current trends that will improve your risk management practices across your entire enterprise. For more information or to register, please visit the conference website.
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