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INCOSE Chapter Perspective on Academic Equivalency: Raquel Hoffmann, CSEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 20, 2022

Here is an interview with Raquel Hoffmann the Point of Contact for Academic Equivalency at INCOSE Brazil which talks about her experience and perspective as promoter of the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your role related to INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency?

» I am currently supporting the certification board at the INCOSE Brazil chapter. My goal is to facilitate academic equivalency for institutions in Brazil.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest professional achievement is being recognized for my knowledge of Systems Engineering and applying it to different projects and teams without SW knowledge.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer should develop during their education?

» Critical thinking, systemic views, collaborative work, communication, and, more important, listening and feeling what stakeholders and peers are trying to communicate are the skills to be developed by a Systems Engineer during their education.
Q4. What was your motivation behind promoting the academic equivalency program?

» The motivation from my side is to increase the SE community in Brazil and facilitate access to the certification path. I believe the universities also want to offer this equivalency as an added value for the students.
Q5. What do you see as the benefits of the academic equivalency program for a university and a student?

» For the university, I believe it is beneficial to have a harmonized education about the SE Handbook and all related contents and more involvement with INCOSE and professionals. For students, it is an extra motivation and directly returns to the professional under construction.
Q6. What is your advice for universities or institutes considering applying for academic equivalency?» Promote professionals already certified and experienced to inspire new students.
Q7. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-hoffmann-429aa124/
Know more about academic equivalency from here.
INCOSE Local Chapter perspective on the SEP Certification: Dorothy Benveniste

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 20, 2022

Here is an interview with Dorothy Benveniste, the President INCOSE Los Angeles Chapter which talks about her perspective on help provided by INCOSE local chapters (Los Angeles, and San Diego) on certification preparation. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am the President INCOSE Los Angeles Chapter.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest achievement the Project Engineer at Boeing Commercial Airlines for over 20 years.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» As lifelong learners, Systems Engineers are inspired to learn new technical and soft skills from instructors who are excited to share their knowledge and expertise - in all skills.
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» INCOSE Los Angeles and San Diego chapters conduct separate 15-week SEP Cohorts to cover, review, and discuss the material in the SE Handbook to prepare participants to take the SEP exam for INCOSE certification. The Wednesday Cohort meets at Noon hour for 15 weeks; Thursday Cohort meets from 7-8:30 pm Pacific for 90 minutes. Training is provided at no charge. Each week, a Cohort team of 3 students presents a review and discussion of the material. In week one, the first section will be presented by the Cohort Leaders to baseline presentation expectations as well as assign which Cohort teams will assemble and present their sections over the following 14 weeks. Wednesday and Thursday Cohorts share the same weekly schedule. If a student needs to miss a Wednesday session, students are welcome to attend the Thursday Cohort, and vice versa.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» We devote our professional engineering experience to giving back to our engineering community and to promote the systems engineering profession.
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» In each session, cohort members are encouraged to ask questions and discuss the material in the SE Handbook. We review the N2 Diagram extensively, as it is very daunting and difficult to use without learning how to interpret horizontal and vertical values.
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» I personally meet weekly with Toastmasters club and received valuable feedback on my public speaking skills. I work with local universities in the College of Engineering to mentor and teach underserved youth to learn how an engineering degree can make our future world a better place.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothybenveniste/
Here is the page for INCOSE Los Angeles chapter: https://www.incose.org/incose-member-resources/chapters-groups/ChapterSites/los-angeles/chapter-home
Here is the page for INCOSE San Diego chapter: https://sdincose.org/
Faculty Perspective of Academic Equivalency: Bob Kenley, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 19, 2022

Here is an interview with Bob Kenley from Purdue University which talks about his experience and perspective as a faculty of the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your role related to INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency?

» I am faculty member overseeing our one course for academic equivalency and teaching other systems courses in our curriculum.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» A three-semester sequence of student projects supporting the INCOSE Professional Development portal: (1) an undergrad Industrial Engineering senior design project that developed a proof of concept, (2) an MBA project that investigated market feasibility, and (3) an undergrad Computer Graphics Technology senior design project that developed a prototype.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer should develop during their education?

» We prefer to think more along the lines of higher-level learning objectives rather than skills. Understanding various quantitative and qualitative approaches to systems engineering, with case studies, concepts, and readings to support interdisciplinary project work. Developing patterns of systems thinking, understanding systems engineering processes and methods, understanding the theory for model-based systems engineering, and using a model-based systems engineering tool. How to apply multiple systems concepts and methods. Performing critical thinking about how the concepts and methods are applicable to the problematic situations of real-world projects and how well the project teams are able to perform the required activities.
Q4. What was your university’s motivation behind joining the academic equivalency program?

» Industrial partners for our online program were seeking an academic equivalence course for their employees.
Q5. What do you see as the benefits of the academic equivalency program for a university and a student?

» For the university, it can lead to a broader set of industrial partners. For the students, it can lead to a greater understanding of what is really needed to become a certified systems engineering professional as well as learning the knowledge that is in the Handbook.
Q6. What methods do you use to teach SE courses effectively?

» Lectures on the Handbook and the INCOSE Competency Framework, readings based on the lectures, and quizzes. Online discussion forums about certification and about professional competencies. Writing assignments that critique the literature in the field, e.g. papers from Systems Engineering and the International Symposium.
Q7. How do your SE courses help students to deepen their understanding of systems engineering?

» We cover multiple scientific frameworks, methodologies, and application domains that give student different perspectives that include “traditional” systems engineering and other approaches to the engineering of systems.
Q8. How do your SE courses differ from those at other universities?

» Purdue Systems Collaboratory offers a Graduate Certificate in Systems that is a 9-credit hour program designed for students and professionals across all majors who want to gain understanding and practical skills in systems thinking, systems science, and systems engineering. The Certificate program is a response to the need for a new generation of leaders with holistic perspective, who can address the most challenging and complex problems of today’s societies. Also, we offer a 100% online, 30-credit hour systems engineering (SYS) concentration packed in our Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)/Master of Science (MS) degree. This program was created for professionals who wish to build a competitive edge with graduate-level knowledge of systems engineering, from which they will be able to apply state-of-the art methods in designing, analyzing, and controlling the next generation of complex systems that respond to rapidly changing environments. The concentration aims to develop professionals who are both well-grounded in interdisciplinary engineering as well as prepared to create and execute trans-disciplinary processes that result in engineered systems that are responsive to stakeholders' needs. Application areas include next-generation air traffic management, sustainable buildings, intelligent healthcare devices, healthcare delivery systems, flexible manufacturing integrated with design, next generation transportation systems, and next generation intelligent systems.
Q9. What is your advice for universities or institutes considering applying for academic equivalency?

» Keep it to one course. Do not limit the course to testing knowledge of the Handbook. The students will be happier that they learned more, and your colleagues will be happier that the course goes beyond rote memorization and is truly worthy of being treated as a graduate-level course.
Q10. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach me at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-kenley/

Know more about academic equivalency from here.
Trainer perspective on the SEP Certification: Christopher Olson, CSEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 18, 2022

Here is an interview with Christopher Olson of LearnSE, LLC which talks about his experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am the Owner / Content Creator of LearnSE, LLC.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest professional achievement is being the Project Manager & Systems Engineer for PMA-274 (Presidential Helicopter Program) also Adjunct with JHU WSE EP Program, building and teaching the Intro to SE course (662).
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» SE fundamentals & modeling mechanics should be learnt by a systems engineer through training. What they can't learn are those elements unique to their circumstance/project or industry; or those areas that rely most heavily on experience / lessons learned.
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» Product Development & Systems Engineering Fundamentals trainings are provided by LearnSE, LLC.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» Lack of affordable self-paced online-only training motivated me to provide these trainings.
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» Philosophically: Top down planning & lesson creation (much like SE itself) as well as "chunking" in small bite-size time segments, although this is not always possible. Technically: Screen record, animated presentations, consistent formatting, high quality images (svg) & high-quality audio. Being an audio engineer has helped for sure.
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» I read INCOSE Insights and SE journal articles that might pertain to me; as well as any relevant textbooks that come out. Most recent was David Herthington's SysML for CATIA release. I am currently reading Pohl's Requirements Engineering.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-olson-csep-pmp-07857282/
Know more about training providers from here.
Trainer perspective on the SEP Certification: Becky Reed, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 17, 2022

Here is an interview with Becky Reed of Reed Integration, Inc. which talks about her experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am the President/CEO, and Owner/Founder of Reed Integration, Inc.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest professional achievement is helping hundreds of people across many different industries learn about the importance, value, and impact of systems engineering.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» Hands-on, direct application of knowledge in our courses has shown that concept development, planning, requirements definition, risk management, functional analysis/ synthesis, IV&V planning, and a few specialty analysis methods can be learned very well through training programs.
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» We offer knowledge exam preparation training, application reviews, career coaching/mentoring, and a wide variety of SE courses and professional certificate programs.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» My involvement with INCOSE for more than 25 years, my participation in the beginning of the SEP programs, and my entire career where I have repeatedly seen the value of SE skills applied to any program has motivated me to provide these trainings.
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» All methods - virtual now but many in-person programs were provided for years pre-pandemic.
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» My company supports/provides training and events for the local Hampton Roads INCOSE chapter and I try to attend the IS when possible.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-reed-esep-70a0802/
Know more about the training providers from here.
Graduate perspective on Academic Equivalency: Getachew(Get) Michael, CSEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 16, 2022

Here is an interview with Getachew(Get) Michael , a graduate from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), which talks about his experience and perspective as a graduate from the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was conducted in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am a Senior Enterprise Systems Engineer/Software Engineer.
Q2. What are your next career goals?

» My next career goal is to become a CTO/CIO
Q3. What have you learned about systems engineering in school?

» I learned a lot about the criticality of system thinking in the whole process from product conception, stakeholder requirements, system requirements to meet users’ expectations, the design and development and implementation process.
Q4. What interests you about systems engineering?

» I am more interested in the application of system engineering and in the areas of airspace and artificial intelligence.
Q5. What motivated you to get SEP certification?

» I pursued SEP Certification to advance my system engineering career and to socialize with other engineers to work on projects together.
Q6. How did the academic equivalency program benefit you?

» Academic equivalency program helped a lot not only to understand the concepts theoretically but also to work on three different projects and wrote three research article publications.
Q7. How did taking courses under the academic equivalency program help you deepen your understanding of SE?

» The courses taken through the academic equivalency program helped me to work with teams on real life projects to apply the system engineering concepts and applications.
Q8. What is your advice for students and research professionals pursuing SEP certification?

» I encourage all to pursue SEP certification as it will definitely give them more opportunities in their career development and be part of a great system engineering team around the world.
Know more about academic equivalency from here.
Faculty perspective on Academic Equivalency: Don Gelosh, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 15, 2022

Here is an interview with Don Gelosh, the Director of Systems Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which talks about his experience and perspective as faculty of the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your role related to INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency?

» As the Director of SE at WPI, I validate and submit the students who qualify for Academic Equivalency.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest professional achievement is getting my PhD. I would add a close second is getting my ESEP-Acq certification.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer should develop during their education?

» In addition to having some level of awareness across all SE methods and processes, SEs should also try to be a recognized expert in a couple areas. SEs also need to learn technical leadership and other professional skills such as communication, negotiation, and facilitation.
Q4. What was your university’s motivation behind joining the academic equivalency program?

» We wanted to give our excellent SE students an opportunity to get their INCOSE certification without worrying about the Knowledge Exam. We also wanted to increase enrollment in our SE program.
Q5.What do you see as the benefits of the academic equivalency program for a university and a student?

» One great benefit is the recognition that our Concepts course provides the knowledge necessary to get INCOSE certified. We see this as a differentiator in the education market for SE.
Q6. What methods do you use to teach SE courses effectively?

» We use a variety of methods from lectures, in-class discussions, discussion posts, individual and team projects, to personal 1x1 instruction. The motto of WPI is Theory and Practice that makes an Impact. We work very hard to balance the theory and practice in each of our SE courses and the overall SE program.
Q7. How do your SE courses help students to deepen their understanding of systems engineering?

» The courses in our graduate SE program in total cover the entire system lifecycle. We provide examples and conduct in-class discussions with working professionals and how they do SE at their jobs. We work to bring SE to life through individual and team projects. We encourage our SE students to apply the techniques they learn one evening to their jobs the next day. Practicing the Art of SE really deepens their understanding.
Q8. How do your SE courses differ from those at other universities?

» We tailor the courses and our entire SE program to align with the needs of our students and their companies. We are very keen to ensure the learning outcomes of our offerings match their needs.
Q9. What is your advice for universities or institutes considering applying for academic equivalency? » My best advice is to not make achieving Academic Equivalency very hard for the students. It should be a straightforward, understandable process that only involves 1 or 2 courses at the most. Making it too hard defeats the purpose. Keep in mind that Academic Equivalency does not equate to certification. It only allows the students to waive the Knowledge Exam, no more. If the students can demonstrate a mastery of the knowledge covered by the exam, then they qualify for the waiver.
Q10. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-gelosh-581aa44a/
Know more about academic equivalency from here.
Trainer perspective of the SEP Certification: David Ward, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 14, 2022

Here is an interview with David Ward of TMC italia SpA which talks about his experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am a Systems Engineering Professional and Evangelist.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» Being recognized as a trustworthy, open minded person that believes in what he does and helping others to do the same is my proudest professional achievement.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» Hard skills such as Needs and Requirements, Soft skills such as Negotiation, Conflict management but, most of all, knowing the traits and qualities they have and how to exploit them for the benefit of others and the systems they help engineer.
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» This is probably best summarized in the title of one of my presentations on SE and SEP certification : 'The Systems Engineer, who else?'.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» We need to engineer a better world and think systemically without neglecting the systematic approach, this is the motivation behind providing SE training.
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» My trainings are a combination of Classroom/Virtual/Self learning. I mix practical exercises with my SE knowledge/experience and help people realize that they are the owners of the problem but not necessarily the solution provider.
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» I continue to learn about Systems engineering by doing projects, teaching and reading/writing about SE. I strongly believe in the Chinese proverb: 'You listen you forget, You see you understand, You do you Learn'. An example of development I'm involved in is the INCOSE SySTEAM project and I'm also the Education-Training-Certification director for the Italian chapter.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-%E5%A4%A7%E5%8D%AB-ward-824594/

Know more about training providers from here.
Faculty Perspective on Academic Equivalency: Paul B. Martin, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 13, 2022

Here is an interview with Paul B. Martin from University of Maryland Baltimore County - Office of Professional Programs Systems Engineering which talks about his experience and perspective as a point of contact of the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your role related to INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency?

» I developed SYST 660: Systems Engineering Principles class in accordance with the INCOSE knowledge exam learning objectives. I helped in filling out the learning objectives spreadsheet, as well as provided scoring rubrics and course syllabus to the Certification Advisory Group.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» When I was able to capture all 31 processes within the INCOSE SE Handbook into one diagram.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer should develop during their education?

» There are two aspects of the Systems Engineering profession I try to explain via my courses. (1) In my “SYST 660: Systems Engineering Principles” class I teach the context of Systems Engineering in relation to the 31 processes within the INCOSE SE Handbook. Systems Engineers work within a vast and complex machinery of processes, project purposes, and personnel. It’s nice to know where you fit. (2) In my other Graduate level courses at UMBC, I like to provide students with an introduction to the tools of the trade. So I cover N2 Chart reduction methods, Trade Study techniques, Ishikawa diagram, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), etc. Learning when and where to use these tools would greatly benefit a working Systems Engineer.
Q4. What was your university’s motivation behind joining the academic equivalency program?

» Woodrow Winchester III, Ph.D., former graduate program director of UMBC’s Professional Engineering programs, really wanted to create a Triple Threat Systems Engineering Graduate. In other words, a graduate that not only has a graduate degree but also has work experience and an industry-recognized credential. INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency program was key to meeting this goal.
Q5. What do you see as the benefits of the academic equivalency program for a university and a student?

» Woodrow Winchester III has stated, “This is important to UMBC students because it provides an employer indication of the depth of the student’s systems engineering knowledge. At this time, employers are asking for this credential for systems engineers. This INCOSE certification is listed in job postings oftentimes, especially if it’s in the government, government contract work, or defense aerospace. It provides a value add to UMBC graduates along with a differentiator from their peers.” So UMBC’s Professional Engineering program is a better value for students considering a Systems Engineering degree, so they’ll inevitably choose UMBC over other universities.
Q6. What methods do you use to teach SE courses effectively?

» I mainly use my proprietary comprehensive Process Flow diagram, by walking the student through all 31 Processes from the SE Handbook.
Q7. How do your SE courses help students to deepen their understanding of systems engineering?

» My goal is to provide context to the Systems Engineering Processes. I emphasize the fact that the Systems Engineering Technical Processes operate within the envelope of the Project as dictated by Agreements set forth by an Organization.
Q8. How do your SE courses differ from those at other universities?

» UMBC teaches a more practical applications of/ practical approach to Systems Engineering. All the courses are taught by practicing Systems Engineers, with an emphasis on the tools and methods seen in the real world of Systems Engineering.
Q9. What is your advice for universities or institutes considering applying for academic equivalency?

» Being part of INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency program makes a university more competitive.
Q10. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-b-martin/

Know more about Academic Equivalency from here.
Graduate perspective on Academic Equivalency: Gordon Quach

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 13, 2022

Here is an interview with Gordon Quach, a graduate from University of Maryland Baltimore County, which talks about his interesting experience, and perspective as a graduate from the academic equivalency program, especially on how it benefits students even if they choose not to get certified. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was conducted in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» My current position is a technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton where I focus on leading data visualization, big data, and automation capabilities for my clients.
Q2. What are your next career goals?

» My career goals are related in growing my understanding/practice in IT and data space. For the first several years, I look forward to having hands practice with the latest tech stack and use such tools to improve the way we store, process, and explain/visualize information. In the near future, I do look forward to taking a leadership role, unsure if that's more of a Subject Matter Expert or a management role. Regardless, I aspire to have a part in driving the technology landscape of an organization and grow the talent by mentoring/coaching new and experienced individuals in the field.
Q3. What have you learned about systems engineering in school?

» When I was studying Industrial and Systems Engineering, I learned about how to use processes/tools like descriptive/theoretical statistics and discrete event simulations to better model systems (healthcare, manufacturing, queueing, etc.). Currently, in my program at UMBC, I've learned the overview of Systems Engineering (V Model, etc.), best practices in architecture, and had a part in implementing a smart city / cloud network system in a class project.
Q4. What interests you about systems engineering?

» I like the mindset of taking complex needs/visions and making them feasible through analysis, stakeholder engagement, modeling, architecture, and implementation/sustainment. I realized that almost everyone becomes a "Systems Engineer" even if they don't use the tools we are taught. Industry is less siloed than we imagine, and rather, it is more collaborative to create something exciting.
Q5. What motivated you to get SEP certification?

» I took an intro course in my Systems Engineering Masters Degree program with Professor Paul Martin. He was a great instructor, and motivated us to pursue further in the field through certifications, like the SEP.
Q6. How did the academic equivalency program benefit you?

» It was great since I was able to learn in a classroom setting and apply concepts through assignments/group activities. When I completed the course with a passing score, I was closer to a certification since the equivalency program help expedite the process.
Q7. How did taking courses under the academic equivalency program help you deepen your understanding of SE?

» These courses help deepen my knowledge of the industry, use cases, and knowledge of systems engineering from professors who are or formerly worked as Systems Engineers.
Q8. What is your advice for students and research professionals pursuing SEP certification?

» Find an opportunity to leverage the academic equivalency program, build strong connections with your peers/professors in classes, and try to apply elements of what you learned to your day in the life at work.
Q9. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach out to me at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonquach/
Know more about Academic Equivalency from here.
Student Perspective of SEP Certification: Sai Sowmya Kurra, ASEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 12, 2022

Here is an interview with Sai Sowmya Kurra of ISAE SUPAERO which talks about her experience and perspective towards SEP certification as a certified student. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was conducted in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am a Systems Engineering Intern at AKKA Technologies
Q2. What are your next career goals?

» As I'm just starting out, I would like to gain industry experience in different aspects of systems engineering in the technical side before exploring the technical management side.
Q3. What have you learned about systems engineering in school?

» The course we had at school was an introduction to the domain. We dipped our toes into the sea that is systems engineering. Through lectures, individual and group activities, workshops, and projects, we slowly gained the fundamentals of what it is means to be a systems engineer working on a product. We learnt to change our mindset when needed.
Q4. What interests you about systems engineering?

» I really like the high-level perspective a systems engineer maintains. Bringing together different knowledge streams, working with different groups of people, handling different kinds of tasks for the same project/product, in addition to being adaptable enough to work on any project, these are some abilities that I find amazing about systems engineers.
Q5. What motivated you to get SEP certification?

» To test myself using a recognized certification in order to ensure that I was on the right path of learning. The SEP certification is valuable for professional development in systems engineering. It was important for me to be able to show proof of my knowledge.
Q6. How did preparing for the knowledge exam help you deepen your understanding of systems engineering?» It gave a broad understanding of the activities that fall under systems engineering. It made me realize just how vast systems engineering is and the diversity of its aspects. I could see how far the field has come and how far it still needed to go.
Q7. What is your advice for students and research professionals pursuing SEP certification?

» The certification is based on the INCOSE framework. Rather than memorizing the details of the framework, it's always better to understand what it means, and why exists. With strong fundamentals, the focus should be on active practice and implementation of our knowledge, rather than just memorization and repetition.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach out to me at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sai-sowmya-kurra/
Know more about SEP Certification from here.
Trainer perspective on the SEP Certification: Paul B. Martin, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 11, 2022

Here is an interview with Paul B. Martin of SE Scholar, LLC which talks about his experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am the founder and the owner of SE Scholar, LLC.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» When I was able to capture all 31 processes within the INCOSE SE Handbook into one diagram.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» There are two aspects of the Systems Engineering profession I try to explain via my courses. (1) In my “Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Certification Exam Preparation Course” I teach the context of Systems Engineering in relation to the 31 processes within the INCOSE SE Handbook. Systems Engineers work within a vast and complex machinery of processes, project purposes, and personnel. It’s nice to know where you fit. (2) In my Graduate level courses at UMBC, I like to provide students with an introduction to the tools of the trade. So I cover N2 Chart reduction methods, Trade Study techniques, Ishikawa diagram, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), etc. Learning when and where to use these tools would greatly benefit a working Systems Engineer.
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» I have a free online video that explains the 3 steps to INCOSE SEP Certification. [https://youtu.be/HQxNxVtBj3M] For Step 1 - Learn the Handbook, I provide an online SEP Exam preparation training course that uses my proprietary comprehensive Process Flow diagram, by walking the student through all 31 Processes from the SE Handbook. I also include numerous quizzes, as well as a sample exam which can be repeated as many times as the student desires. I give each student access to a special Course portal (via Canvas by Instructure) where they can access all the class material such as class slides, the awesome Process Flow diagram, a Study Guide, and more. Find out more at https://se-scholar.com/ I also have a Study Notebook for INCOSE SEP Certification Exam Preparation Course I put up on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1R92NHT - It has over 80 Lined and Blank Pages for taking notes while reading the 305-page INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook. And blank IPO diagrams that can be filled out for each process.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» I started SE Scholar, LLC several years ago in order to help other Systems Engineers go through the INCOSE SEP Certification process because I didn’t have any help back in 2007 when I got my CSEP. (Read about my experience here - https://se-scholar.com/se-blog/2007/03/my-csep-experience.)
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» I mainly use my proprietary comprehensive Process Flow diagram, by walking the student through all 31 Processes from the SE Handbook. My goal is to provide context to the Systems Engineering Processes. I emphasize the fact that the Systems Engineering Technical Processes operate within the envelope of the Project as dictated by Agreements set forth by an Organization.
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» As an ESEP it’s easy to forgo engaging in developmental activities, BUT continuous learning is a life goal for me. So I find the INCOSE International Symposium super helpful in keeping up with trends and latest practices within the Systems Engineering profession.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-b-martin/
Learn more about training providers here.
Faculty perspective on Academic Equivalency: John Shortle

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 10, 2022

Here is an interview with John Shortle of George Mason University which talks about his experience and perspective as faculty of the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your role related to INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency?

» I helped to coordinate our department's submission to obtain academic equivalency.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» Co-authoring the textbook Fundamentals of Queueing Theory has been one of my most satisfying professional accomplishments. The book is widely read and I get a lot of feedback and questions. I’m most proud when people comment that a particular part of the book was presented in a clear way and really helped them to understand the material.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer should develop during their education?

» The ABET engineering student outcomes are all excellent skills that undergraduate systems engineering students should develop (solving complex problems that meet diverse needs, communicating effectively, conducting experiments, functioning on teams, understanding ethical responsibilities, acquiring new knowledge, etc.). One other skill that systems engineers should develop is the ability to think probabilistically. What elements of a system/model are random? What quantities or assumptions are uncertain? What happens when components take on values in the tails of the distribution? Thinking in terms of the probabilistic nature of the system is critical to evaluating the system’s risks.
Q4. What was your university’s motivation behind joining the academic equivalency program?

» We wanted to make our degree more valuable to students in the workplace and to market this aspect of our program to incoming students. Our curriculum was already strongly aligned with the ASEP material, so it was just a matter of documenting how it was covered.
Q5. What do you see as the benefits of the academic equivalency program for a university and a student?

» Students have a strong interest in the certification. When we announced our academic equivalency on LinkedIn, we got a huge response from alumni asking about it. Though it only applies to current and incoming students, there is clearly interest.
Q6. What methods do you use to teach SE courses effectively?

» Almost all courses in our undergraduate curriculum have team projects. From early in the program, students gain substantial experience working in diverse teams, presenting results in both written and oral formats. The project-based approach helps students gain consistent experience working on complex problems involving diverse stakeholders with multiple objectives and constraints.
Q7. How do your SE courses help students to deepen their understanding of systems engineering?

» We incorporate the systems engineering V in every part of the undergraduate curriculum. We map each course to where it sits on the V and communicate this to the students. Through examples that span multiple courses, students see how the techniques and skills fit within the overall design process. They see that these are not just independent courses, but that they fit together in an integrated way. When they get to the capstone experience, they are ready to apply the whole V to an industry-sponsored problem.
Q8. How do your SE courses differ from those at other universities?

» One unique aspect of our undergraduate program is that we have introductory computing courses that teach elements of SysML, model-based systems engineering, and object-oriented design, in addition to programming techniques. Students learn to take a systems perspective and model the structure and behavior of a system in SysML, and to implement the system model in a programming language. MBSE techniques continue to be emphasized throughout the curriculum, from introductory computing courses to the final capstone design experience. Our program also has a strong focus on stochastic modeling with multiple courses covering topics in probability, statistics, simulation, risk, stochastic modeling, and digital twins.
Q9. What is your advice for universities or institutes considering applying for academic equivalency?
» It was a valuable experience to go through our program and see where the courses mapped to the INCOSE Handbook, where there were gaps, what elements were covered in more detail, and what areas we emphasized outside the handbook. Filling out the mapping was not too difficult, the main work was to identify where topics were assessed in the courses.
Q10. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-shortle-33a11532/

Here is the link to Systems Engineering / Operations Research Dept. George Mason University LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/systems-engineering-operations-research-dept-george-mason-university-304581213/
Know more about Academic Equivalency from here.
Faculty perspective on Academic Equivalency: Beth Wilson, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 10, 2022

Here is an interview with Beth Wilson of Worcester Polytechnic Institute which talks about her experience and perspective as a faculty of the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your role related to INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency?

» I am a course instructor for Academic Equivalency program of Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements? » When I retired from my corporate role as a systems engineer, I reported that I had 3 career highlights:
1) Personal -- when I became a principal engineering fellow.
2) Technical Contribution -- the day my team successfully activated the radar we had installed and integrated when I was the Test Director at the site.
3) Next Generation -- sitting on the stage for the Master of Science in Systems Engineering commencement ceremony when a cohort I taught graduated.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer should develop during their education?

» A systems engineer needs to learn that there are effective systems engineering processes, methods, and tools to enable effective system design. A systems engineer needs to understand all aspects of the system lifecycle and design disciplines in order to know when to engage subject matter experts and how to effectively engage them.
Q4. What was your university’s motivation behind joining the academic equivalency program?

» We are very supportive of the certification program and feel that our Principles of Systems Engineering class is an effective way for students to learn the knowledge in the INCOSE SE handbook.
Q5.What do you see as the benefits of the academic equivalency program for a university and a student?» For our systems engineering students, it removes a barrier to certification because they can pursue an ASEP immediately and a CSEP when they have systems engineering experience. For our other engineering students that take our class as an elective, they can pursue an ASEP to declare "I speak SE" to show that they understand the systems engineering process and know how to interact with systems engineers.
Q6. What methods do you use to teach SE courses effectively?

» We use individual quizzes as knowledge checks for the systems engineering content we deliver. We also use team projects to explore topics in more depth and apply the techniques we teach.
Q7. How do your SE courses help students to deepen their understanding of systems engineering?

» At WPI, we use a strategy of putting theory into practice. We provide content that describes what systems engineering is and why it is important. We provide assessment opportunities to apply that knowledge.
Q8. How do your SE courses differ from those at other universities?

» In talking with other universities, I think our courses are similar in the content that is provided. I think what is unique about our offering is the application of concepts, the emphasis on systems thinking, and the use of real-world examples.

Q9. What is your advice for universities or institutes considering applying for academic equivalency?

» If you have an introduction to systems engineering course, perform a gap analysis to the learning objectives to see where you stand. You may be closer than you think. Our university made some minor changes only to include content that was in other courses in the master's program in the introductory course so that we could satisfy the academic equivalency with one course.

Know more about Academic Equivalency from here.
Trainer perspective on the SEP Certification: Jan von Tongelen, CSEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 09, 2022

Here is an interview with Jan von Tongelen of Rücker + Schindele B. I. GmbH which talks about his experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am the Managing Director at Rücker + Schindele B. I. GmbH, Lead Trainer and Consultant (https://www.runds.de/).
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest professional achievement in the Systems Engineering community is that I organized and moderated INCOSE EMEA Workshop in Manheim Germany. As Technical Director of Gfse (2017-2021), I led the German Working Groups in further development of SE.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» Responsibility and Mindset of SE and Interrelation between SE Processes and Methods are the skills that a systems engineer can best learn through training.
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» We provide several trainings that vary from awareness sessions (0.5 – 1 day) for manager and interfaces and deep dive sessions (up to 15 days) to earn practical experience.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» Our motivation for providing these trainings is to motivate and qualify people, spread the Systems Engineering mindset and understanding. Systems Engineering is one of the enablers for the future.
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» Our training method is a mix of: producing awareness and responsibility, frontline teaching, practical experience, digital content, easy examples, and many more.
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» I continue to learn about Systems Engineering by: being a part of the SE Community, discussing it on national and international level, and challenging my understanding in real world problems.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-vontongelen/

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Unique perspective on Academic Equivalency: Corina White, CSEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 08, 2022

Here is an interview with Corina White of Naval Postgraduate School which talks about her experience and perspective as a systems engineering professor who chose to use the academic equivalency program to get INCOSE certified. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was conducted in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am a Systems Engineering Professor.
Q2. What are your next career goals?

» I would like to become a lead subject matter expert in competency model development and competency assessment tools. These efforts can promote, retain and develop the workforce. I would also like to develop or join a platform that connects with graduate/undergraduate HBCU programs to incorporate these tools to create learning objectives and assessment tools for students to start developing these competencies. I plan to also contribute significantly to teaching and research efforts focused on using a model based systems engineering approach to digital engineering.
Q3. What have you learned about systems engineering in school?

» Systems Engineering is summarized as taking a holistic view of the system of interest. It is making an effort to understand the big picture including the mission, customer's needs and requirements in the beginning. It is trying to understand all the different parts of the system and how they interact with each other to perform a specific function.
Q4. What motivated you to get SEP certification?

» We motivate our students to apply for SEP certification through the academic equivalency program if they qualify and never considered applying for it myself. Through encouraging them I also encouraged myself.
Q5. How did the academic equivalency program benefit you?

» I am a mother of three, active duty military spouse, leadership program participant, teaching fellows’ participant and I contribute significantly to several research projects. I am balancing quite as most working professionals are, and adding studying for an exam, taking and exam and submitting an application for a certification was not on the top of the priority list. The academic equivalency program helped me make the decision to go for it because I was able to complete the course and apply for my certification at the same time, which made it an easier decision for me to apply.
Q6. How did taking courses under the academic equivalency program help you deepen your understanding of SE?

» As an instructor, taking the course under the academic equivalency program helped me see the SE learning experience from a different lens. I was able to see how the learning objectives for the course aligned to the INCOSE SE Handbook. The content in the Handbook was put into a context that was applicable for the course and the project was easily relatable and provided an opportunity to both use the knowledge obtained and allowed for a deeper understanding of the concepts presented as well.
Q7. What is your advice for students and research professionals pursuing SEP certification?

» If you have already put in the time and effort and have the experience and SE based knowledge take the extra steps to get certified. INCOSE is a National organization and the certifications recognizes practitioners that demonstrate SE knowledge and experience. Do it! Join the network of professionals and let's see what we can do together going forward leading the way.
Know more about Academic Equivalency from here.
Advisor perspective on Academic Equivalency: Heidi Ann Hahn, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 08, 2022

Here is an interview with Heidi Ann Hahn which talks about her experience and perspective advising universities regarding the academic equivalency program. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your role related to INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency?

» I was a CAG member and have served as an Academic Equivalency mentor/liaison and reviewer.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest professional achievement is developing a successful Labor Relations organization using SE.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer should develop during their education?

» A Systems Engineer should develop active listening, technical and facilitative leadership, negotiation -- basically all of the professional competencies during their education.
Q4. What do you see as the benefits of the academic equivalency program for a university and a student?

» For a university, academic equivalency program might help attract students. For students, academic equivalency program will be a plus on a resume when seeking a job.
Q5. What methods do you use to teach SE courses effectively?

» I use a combination of SE and Project Management in the course I teach because I think that their lifecycles operate in parallel.
Q6. What is your advice for universities or institutes considering applying for academic equivalency?

» If you do get academic equivalency, you need to provide incentives to the students to actually pursue it. Several universities who have it have never had a student apply for ASEP because they hadn't been informed of the benefits or otherwise incentivized (i.e., by having the school pay the fee).
Know more on academic equivalency from here.
Trainer perspective on the SEP Certification: David Endler, CSEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 07, 2022

Here is an interview with David Endler, a Systems Engineering consultant and trainer, which talks about his experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am a systems engineering consultant, trainer, and coach.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» In one of my projects, I was acting on behalf of the Director Flight Safety of the Swiss Air Force. In this project, it was my responsibility to define the system safety process for the acquisition of three air traffic management systems.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» In my courses, students typically work on a sample project that everyone can understand, but that is outside of their professional day-to-day experience. Typical project situations are then re-enacted during the training to address important principles. By not being focused on the technical details, this sample project makes it easier for the participants to get involved in the core competencies (e.g., systems thinking, capability engineering, critical thinking, etc.).
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» I'm offering quite a range of system engineering trainings. From half a day (mainly for executives) to 12 days SE-ZERT trainings and everything in between.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» For me, there are two rewarding situations about trainings. The first one is when students pass their exam and are extremely happy. The second one is even more rewarding, this is when I meet students after a couple of weeks or even months and they tell me that they successfully applied one of the methods they learned in the training.
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» There are three main methods that I'm applying: 1) The trainings typically include some time buffers so that all questions the students may have can be discussed. So the overall format is quite open and the students are requested to participate actively. 2) Where ever possible, I'm trying to create the link to the real world by elaborating on situations I've been exposed to. 3) The trainings typically include short exercises to reinforce the learning.
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» To keep up with emerging topics, I'm volunteering within INCOSE (working groups, Technical Director, Systems Engineering Handbook v5) and ISO. At this point, I'm the project editor for ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-2 (guide to 15288) next revisions.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-endler-72b7712/
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Trainer perspective on the SEP Certification: David D. (Dave) Walden, ESEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 06, 2022

Here is an interview with David D. (Dave) Walden of Synovation which talks about his experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was done in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am the Principal Trainer and Consultant for Sysnovation. In addition, I was the Lead Editor for the INCOSE SE Handbook Fourth Edition and am the Editor-in-Chief of the upcoming Fifth Edition.
Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» There are so many that it is hard to choose just one. From a personal perspective I am most proud of the three engineers my wife and I brought into the world, our two daughters and one son (one is even an ASEP!). From a work perspective, it was the part I played at the turn of the century in the integration of four $250 million legacy divisions into the new General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. From a volunteer perspective, it was my editorial role in reorganizing and harmonizing the INCOSE SE Handbook Version 3.2.
Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» Skills that are best learnt through training are the core systems engineering discipline skills. Skills that are not learnt through training are the domain and organization knowledge needed to be an effective systems engineering practitioner, those must be earned through experience.
Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» Our training provides coverage of the knowledge portion of certification by covering the key aspects of the INCOSE SE Handbook. In addition, we focus on what it takes to submit a high-quality application and set of references. These are just as important as the exam for the CSEP application. My hope is that participants leave the course understanding systems engineering, not just learning rote points to pass the exam.
Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» I started Sysnovation to provide training and consulting for systems engineering practitioners. Providing certification preparation training was a natural extension of my other training offerings. As Editor-in-Chief of the INCOSE SE Handbook and former INCOSE Certification Program Manager (for six years), I feel I bring a unique perspective to this training.
Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?
» The Sysnovation SEP prep course is instructor led. We offer it both on-site and virtual formats. The standard course is four days on-site (and intense three-day “boot camp” is also available). For the virtual offerings, it is given over six virtual days using the Zoom platform. The virtual days are shorter in duration to avoid “Zoom Burnout.” All courses cover exactly the same material: SE knowledge per the handbook; a sample CSEP application; and a realistic “half-exam.”
Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» As with every SEP, I engage in several forms of on-going professional development. In addition to editing the INCOSE SE Handbook, I attend regional and local chapter events and tutorials, participate in the INCOSE IW and IS, and am an INCOSE liaison to ISO. In addition, I read articles and textbooks related to systems engineering.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-walden-a749982/
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Student Perspective to SEP Certification: Keshav Sharma, ASEP

by Mrunmayi Joshi | Sep 05, 2022

Here is an interview with Keshav Sharma, a student at ISAE SUPAERO, which talks about his experience and perspective towards SEP certification as a certified student. Happy SEPtember!

This interview was conducted in 2022.
Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am a Systems Engineering Intern.
Q2. What are your next career goals?

» My next career goal is to work as a systems engineer in the technical field for a few years and then switch to technical management processes and attain the CSEP certification.
Q3. What have you learned about systems engineering in school?

» I learnt several topics ranging from Requirements, V and V, Design and Architecture at school. The course covered many topics of the V cycle and how systems engineering makes the product lifecycle efficient and quicker.
Q4. What interests you about systems engineering?

» Systems Engineer covers different domains across different methods, processes and engineering perspective, this interests me.
Q5. What motivated you to get SEP certification?

» Preparing for Certification helps to understand the product lifecycle better and get more insight into Technical Management and Agreement processes that weren't taught at school.
Q6. How did preparing for the knowledge exam help you deepen your understanding of systems engineering?» At school I did not learn a lot in detail about the different processes that a product goes through. The certification drew a clear picture of how the process works step by step. It also introduced new topics such as lean and agile systems engineering.
Q7. What is your advice for students and research professionals pursuing SEP certification?

» Treat the INCOSE Handbook as the Bible and read it time and again to understand clearly the concepts.
Q8. How can we reach out to you?

» You can reach out to me at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keshav-sharma-499385146/
Know more about INCOSE SEP Certification from here.