The sponsored research arm of
Research Agenda
SECOE maintains and updates a list of desired research topics that are of interest to systems engineering. The list is reviewed and prioritized by the SECOE leadership. Topics may be suggested for addition or deletion by contacting secoe@incose.org.
There are six major areas of desired research:
- 1.0 Value of Systems Engineering - develop knowledge to quantify the value of systems engineering
- 2.0 Systems Engineering Processes and Process Improvement - develop a theoretically sound and fully connected set of useful processes
- 3.0 Systems Engineering Methods - develop a theoretical basis for known methods while extending the processes with new theories and new methods
- 4.0 Systems Engineering Automation - analysis and proof of automation effectiveness when applied to specific methods under specific conditions
- 5.0 Human Issues in Systems - research into the impacts of human issues on systems
- 6.0 Human Issues in Systems Engineering - develop and prove methods for the creation of effective engineering teams
Follow this link for examples of possible research topics
Priority Research Topics
SECOE believes these specific topics to be of highest priority. Research into these topics could result in significant (2x or greater!) cost savings or quality improvements in systems development.
- Statistical research to quantify the use and effects of systems engineering
- How to compress the systems engineering process, with sensitivity analysis (cost, schedule, quality) to define what is lost by compression
- Cost estimation methods for systems engineering
- Relative cost of requirements changes - can expand to similar topics such as relative cost of tests, relative costs of analysis, etc.
- Predictions of the quality associated with levels of maturity - based on EIA/IS-731 and/or the CMMI
1.0 Value of Systems Engineering
Background
Systems engineering is often thought to be expensive. Much of its cost is incurred up front. Its outputs do not directly produce revenue. Its benefits only appear after time has passed. It is not obvious how systems engineering contributes to the design process. Yet project after project chooses heuristically to use the methods of systems engineering.Description
Projects
The purpose of this major topic is to develop knowledge concerning the true value of systems engineering. It is a commonly held belief that systems engineering produces a better and cheaper system and does it faster, yet there is no existing proof for this belief. We want to prove that systems engineering adds value, and that the lack of systems engineering causes cost and schedule overruns. More specifically, we want to develop a proven base of knowledge to guide managers in how much and what kinds of systems engineering to apply to a given project.
NBR TITLE CATEGORY INCOSE TC STATUS 01-03 Value of SE Research Measurement Active
Possible research topics
2.0 SE Processes and Process Improvement
Background
Today's evolving standards and capability maturity models for systems engineering have been developed from a diverse basis of heuristic, experiential knowledge. They represent the processes that have been used, rather than advancement of what might be. One result of this chaotic basis is the ongoing debate over acceptability of these standards and models. Theoretical and empirical research is required to establish the qualitative and quantitative correlation between the defined processes and cost savings, quality, and product performanceDescription
Projects
This major topic includes analysis of systems engineering processes to develop a theoretically sound and fully connected set of useful processes. It is expected that the theory will integrate from fields as diverse as decision theory, chaos theory, and combinatorial mathematics. Research will consider the varied needs of (1) different economic sectors, (2) different types of markets (sole source, single customer, free market, global markets), (3) different scales of product complexity, (4) different production quantities from one-of-a-kind to mass production, and (5) different types of design from incremental redesign to break-through innovation. Theoretical and empirical proof includes the concepts of faster, better, cheaper metrics to measure process improvement.
NBR TITLE CATEGORY INCOSE TC STATUS 99-01 SE Case Studies Practice Education & Research Active
Possible research topics
3.0 SE Methods
Background
Systems engineering methods are used to implement systems engineering processes. They are the specific techniques and tasks performed by engineers within the context of a system development. Far too often, the methods selected are dependent on the experience of the team members, not on the effectiveness of the method. Further, the effectiveness of any given method varies widely from application to application due to variances in team experience or project characteristics. As a result, many methods take on the characteristics of art rather than engineering.Description
Projects
This major topic is to develop a theoretical basis for known methods while extending the processes with new theories and new methods. Methods from other fields may also apply to advance systems engineering. Theoretic and practical constraints will bound each specific method to help practitioners know how and when to use it. Specifically, improvements in systems engineering methods are needed to (1) articulate and establish shared visions of problems, (2) identify and design alternative solutions, (3) perform trade studies and make decisions, (4) assess and manage risks, (4) verify and validate solutions, and (5) capture all information generated in the process.
NBR TITLE CATEGORY INCOSE TC STATUS 98-03 Design Methods Comparison Method Process Improvement Completed 01-05 Advanced System Testing Method Process Improvement Active
Possible research topics
4.0 SE Automation
Background
Automation is providing computer-based tools to implement systems engineering methods faster, better and cheaper. An important research issue is to define and articulate the need for automation of specific systems engineering methods such that tool makers can create tools that better meet the needs of the systems engineer.Description
Possible research topics
This major topic includes the analysis and proof of automation effectiveness when applied to specific methods under specific conditions. Applied research is required to define realistic and complex test cases for benchmark studies. Analysis and benchmarking must consider the application of systems engineering methods in realistic environments, including the necessity for interfaces among the varied members of a team environment.
5.0 Human Issues in Systems
Background
Humans nearly always interact in some way with product systems. Whether this interaction is direct as in user-oriented software systems, or indirect as in automated environmental monitoring, or integral as in aircraft piloting, the humans in relation to the product system determine the acceptability of that product. Ergonomics is only one factor of many that come into play. Human issues significantly impact the success of a system project.Description
Possible research topics
This major topic includes research into the impacts of human issues on systems engineering. In the product environment, what functions can humans perform better than system components, and how best can these human features be designed into the system? How will variance in human responses affect the operability of the system? This area of research must draw from the knowledge and efforts of the social and behavioral sciences, and either attract those researchers to address systems engineering human issues or apply results of such research.
6.0 Human Issues in Systems Engineering
Background
The organizations that engineer complex systems are themselves systems, yet these highly complex and variable systems are only poorly understood. A successful, cohesive team may fail after a string of successes, for completely unforeseen reasons. Can the processes and methods developed to engineer systems be applied to human organizational systems, or are different processes and methods required? Are there unique management problems in the engineering of complex systems that are not encountered in general management? Knowing how the organizational system works can help industry to develop better systems engineering teams.Description
Possible research topics
This major topic draws from the fields of management, personnel development, and organizational psychology to develop and prove methods for the creation of effective engineering teams. Theories will consider the variability in individuals as well as the constraints of project characteristics, product needs, and corporate values. It is expected that multiple solutions are valid, applicable to different conditions. Research in this area includes methods for the development and training of systems engineers.
Page last modified 30 Jul 03
