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Strategic Initiatives

The International Council on Systems Engineering is focused on achieving the following strategic initiatives to advance the practice of systems engineering as well as raising the professional stature of systems engineers.  These strategic initiatives are intended to work together to advance the understanding and practice of systems engineering.  Their interrelationship is described below the descriptions of the individual initiatives.

Systems Engineering Vision
In leading the development of the Systems Engineering Vision, INCOSE is defining a 15 year view of the evolution of the systems engineering discipline. It addresses the future systems engineering environment, systems architecting, systems development, systems management, systems engineering standards, and systems engineering education and research. In identifying the key capabilities required for the effective and competitive practice of systems engineering, this vision will help establish priorities for research in the systems domain.

Version 1.5 of the SE Vision is currently available in the Members Area of the INCOSE website. INCOSE is continuing to refine the technical vision and work with other societies to establish a shared vision and will release revisions in 2006.

Systems Engineering Certification
In establishing a program for the certification of systems engineering professionals, INCOSE has created a robust program that will advance systems engineering as a recognized profession. A formal method for recognizing the knowledge and experience of systems engineers, systems engineering certification requires candidates to demonstrate competency in systems engineering background and skills. To maintain their certification, engineers must continually develop their skills and abilities throughout their lives.

The first certifications were awarded in January 2005. All systems engineering professions are encouraged to consider certification. More information on the certification program is available in the Certification section of the INCOSE website.

Systems Engineering Handbook v3
The Systems Engineering Handbook describes the key process activities performed by systems engineers. Version 3 of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook represents a shift in paradigm toward global industry application consistent with the Systems Engineering Vision. Developed for the new systems engineer, the engineer in another discipline who needs to perform systems engineering, as well as the experienced systems engineer who needs a convenient reference, the handbook provides an updated description of the key process activities performed by systems engineers.The Systems Engineering Handbook provides the continuing basis for certification.

INCOSE Product Asset Library (IPAL)
The IPAL is intended to provide INCOSE members with descriptions and examples of document, templates and other resources useful in putting systems engineering knowledge and insights into practical use on real-world projects.  The IPAL will contain material to supplement the descriptions of systems engineering process activities in the Handbook version 3. Information on how you can volunteer to help implement the IPAL is contained in the Members Area of the INCOSE website. 

Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (G2SEBoK)
A comprehensive guide, the G2SEBoK seeks to provide a singular resource for understanding the extent of the practice of systems engineering for a spectrum of purposes. These purposes may include accomplished systems engineers seeking more in-depth information in a particular area of the discipline or just in time performance support or other engineering disciplines performing systems engineering tasks. Just as likely the interested neophyte or potential consumer of systems engineering services may wish to learn more about the discipline. It is critical for this guide to be both simplistic and comprehensive.

The G2SEBoK seeks to define systems engineering broadly, in terms of its concepts, processes, skills required and capability. In addition, this guide provides substantial linkage to related works. The first version of the G2SEBOK is available on the INCOSE website. More information is available in the G2SEBoK section of the INCOSE website.   Current INCOSE efforts to collect systems engineering-related information are focused on the development of the IPAL.  Once the IPAL is available, future efforts to add to the G2SEBOK are envisioned.

Interrelationships of Strategic Initiatives
The initiatives described above have been chosen by the INCOSE Board of Directors because, taken together, they have significant potential to improve the ability of policy makers, engineers, managers and other stakeholders to understand and utilize systems engineering to improve outcomes. The outcomes which can be improved include:

·          Developing new systems and products more quickly, at lower costs

·          Refining planning and policy-making so results more closely match goals

·          Better matching products and services to stakeholder expectations and budgets

The Systems Engineering Vision provides a context for the use of systems engineering in the past, present and future, with an emphasis on the future challenges we face which are of especial interest from a systems engineering perspective. The Systems Engineering Handbook provides a summary overview of the processes useful in engineering systems, and how and why they are useful.  The INCOSE Product Asset Library provides additional information and resources to help practitioners apply systems engineering processes to meet the demands of projects.  Systems Engineering Certification provides a way for experienced practitioners of systems engineering to demonstrate significant mastery of systems engineering processes, and a way in which experienced and successful systems engineers can be recognized within industry.  The Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge provides a start at characterizing the current sum of knowledge in systems engineering field.

 

Content Owner: Major Projects Office | Last Updated: 08 Jul 2006
 
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