Pioneer Awards

The Pioneer Award is presented annually to one distinguished individual or team, who by their achievements in the engineering of systems, has contributed uniquely to major products or outcomes enhancing society or its needs. The criteria may apply to a single outstanding outcome or a lifetime of significant achievements in effecting successful systems.

The Pioneer Award recognizes outstanding pioneer-applications of Systems Engineering in the development of successful products or services of benefit to society. Examples include applying systems engineering principles to unique, highly complex problems; the successful application of systems engineering to brand new market segments and outstanding examples of advancing the state of the art and /or practice of systems engineering beyond its current bounds.

Pioneer Award Recipients

Year Recipient Award Citation

2023

Dov "Dubi" Dori

For his seminal work as a researcher and educator, and most successfully transitioning research to practice.

2022

Michael C. Jackson

For the development of the foundations of systems engineering as author, educator and intellectual leader in systems thinking. He has been an international ambassador helping to establish systems thinking curricula in multiple universities in Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

2020

Odd A. "Andy" Asbjornsen

For his lasting influence as an international ambassador; his intellectual contributions to establish Systems Engineering curricula in multiple universities in the USA and Europe; and his impact in the domains of public investment, industrial ecology, sustainable development, and environmental engineering.

2020

Arthur B. "Art" Pyster

For your leadership in the field of Systems Engineering, including the conception, success, and sustainment of BKCASE; growth and development of the SERC; development of Systems Engineering-focused capability maturity models; and initiative to incorporate Systems Engineering accreditation and Systems education for all engineers.

2019

Barry Boehm

For his work as a systems pioneer uniquely contributing to the advancement of systems engineering through extensive research, education and the application thereof in industry.

2018

James E. "Jim" Long

For his substantial and relevant pioneering contributions in model-based systems engineering (MBSE) beginning decades before the formalization of the MBSE initiative by INCOSE and the Object Management Group (OMG).

2018

Dr Suresh B N

For his pioneer work in Space Systems Engineering as the backbone of some successful launches by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization). He is an outstanding practitioner and researcher in Systems Engineering of complex Space Systems such as Control, Actuation, Simulation & Test and Launch Vehicle Systems. A thought leader, he has made significant contributions to Design, Mission planning and R&D Management for the Indian space program.

2017

Hans Mark

For his legendary career in aerospace engineering that served as a catalyst for Systems Engineering. He has been a major influence on system approaches and system perspectives that has had impact on milestone space programs, including the Pioneer satellite and the first space shuttle. He has also influenced key leaders, including Carl Sagan and President Ronald Reagan. He is currently continuing to promote quantum computing and a national program to teach systems engineering concepts to all engineering students.

2016

Harold W. "Bud" Lawson

For a career dedicated to advancing the unification of systems and software engineering. He has been a major influence in the advancement of software engineering, systems engineering, the harmonization of the two, and the extension of systems engineering to broader areas of application.

2015

Norman Augustine

For promoting synergies between science, engineering, and systems while advocating for and leading the advancement of technology for the benefit of his country and humankind for more than a half-century.

2012

Jung-Uck Seo

As an outstanding holistic engineer, for applying systems theory and practice over decades on a wide variety of projects in the fields of automobiles, energy, transportation, defence and IT. As an eminent teacher, and a leader in business and in government, his work has had an impact at the national level and beyond.

2011

Xue-Shen Qian

For devoting his whole life to the work of science and technology for the benefit of humankind

2011

Azad M. Madni

For recognition in the crucial frontiers of systems engineering and working effectively to advance the theory, tools and products required for the future of our profession.

2010

Julian Goldman

For demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the advancement of the state-of-the-art and practice of systems engineering in the biomedical and healthcare fields. Through his pioneering work, Dr. Goldman has shown that breakthrough improvements in patient safety can be achieved by bringing together individuals and groups from the commercial, non-profit, education, and government sectors to focus on “the system of interest.” The most impressive legacy of his work is in hearts and smiles of living, breathing patients, who, without his trailblazing efforts, might not be here today.

2009

Chuen P. "PC" LUI

LUI Pao Chuen has dedicated his life to systems thinking and application, resulting in both an unparalleled impact in Singapore, and advances in the development of systems engineering around the world. His significant and critical contributions to Singapore's defense & security, and to its social & economic development, are unique. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a visionary zeal in pursuing his nation’s interests and the courage to back unconventional and innovative solutions, balanced by an extraordinary practical ability to rigorously identify and communicate critical issues. A master of systems engineering and a great teacher with a sharp acumen, indefatigable energy and unbridled curiosity, LUI Pao Chuen is an outstanding role model for systems engineers everywhere.

2008

Peter Checkland

Peter Checkland is unique: a highly successful systems engineering teacher, researcher and practitioner. Recognising the issues associated with the role of the human within socio-technical systems, he and his colleagues developed the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), “a rigorous approach to the subjective” which is firmly grounded in systems theory. Through action research, Peter demonstrated that by systemically modelling purposeful human activity, organisational conflict could be identified, understood and resolved. A brilliant teacher, Peter has shared his ideas and passion with students and practitioners worldwide and has made an unparalleled contribution to the state of the art in systems engineering.

2007

John N. Warfield

John Warfield is widely recognized as the father of systems science. He has been an educator, a research scientist in complex systems and organizational dynamics, and a leader in integrating an extensive body of research into an organized hierarchy of systems sciences. Dr. Warfield and his colleagues analyzed complexity and human cognition for over forty years and developed the founding relationships for the still emerging systems science discipline that underpins significant portions of modern systems engineering. His rich body of work embodies analytical methods and frameworks, behavioral science, and philosophies that formalize our understanding of complexity in our world.

2006

Philip K. McPherson

Philip McPherson has been a practitioner, educator and intellectual leader in systems engineering for over 45 years and an early and inspirational member of the UK chapter of INCOSE. His appreciation for precise mathematical modeling in system design influenced submarine design for decades to follow. As Professor of Systems Science at City University in London, he set up the Department of Systems Science in 1972 – his knowledge, passion and tenacity led the department into a position of intellectual leadership in applying systems thinking. He developed the Inclusive Value Methodology (IVM™) for the broad measurement of both the tangible and intangible assets of projects and organizations. His lasting contribution to systems engineering is a clarity of understanding and quantifying the dynamic relationships among and within complex systems.

2003

Wayne A. Wymore

Dr. A. Wayne Wymore founded the first academic department of Systems Engineering in the world at the University of Arizona in 1960. He pioneered Mathematical-based Systems Engineering and later led Model-based Systems Engineering. He was an early and ardent supporter of the fomenting of INCOSE. He has led self-evaluation of Systems Engineering education, and continues to be one of the most prominent theoreticians of the Systems Engineering community. In addition to his teaching, writing, and consulting, he has participated in pro bono projects to bring a Systems Engineering approach to social service organizations.

2002

Andrew P. "Andy" Sage

Professor Sage has made continued and substantial contributions to the field of Systems Engineering for more than 35 years. He served on the seminal committee that created the Systems Science and Cybernetics Society within IEEE, and edited IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics for 27 years. He chaired the department of Systems Engineering at the University of Virginia and created a unique School of Information Technology and Engineering at George Mason University. He has written or edited 13 books and has been the Series Editor of a textbook series on Systems Engineering and Management for John Wiley & Sons. He played the instrumental role in establishing the INCOSE Journal of Systems Engineering as published by John Wiley & Sons and provides its editorial leadership.

2001

Hal Mooz

Working as a team with Kevin Forsberg, he has pioneered and tirelessly promoted the concept of the integration of system engineering and project management into a single seamless process. In addition to his own work on complex development projects, he has taught thousands of professionals around the globe, both through tutorials and presentations and through his book, written with Dr. Forsberg, “Visualizing Project Management”.

2001

Kevin Forsberg

Working as a team with Hal Mooz, he has pioneered and tirelessly promoted the concept of the integration of system engineering and project management into a single seamless process. In addition to his own work on complex development projects, he has taught thousands of professionals around the globe, both through tutorials and presentations and through his book, written with Mr. Mooz, “Visualizing Project Management”.

2000

Benjamin S. "Ben" Blanchard

An esteemed practitioner, teacher, and advocate of Systems Engineering. His service, as a team member with Dr. Wolt Fabrycky, allowed them to articulate the principles and objectives of Systems Engineering in a manner that conveys the tremendous potential and value added by this discipline.

2000

Wolter J. "Wolt" Fabrycky

An esteemed practitioner, teacher, and advocate of Systems Engineering. His service, as a team member with Dr. Ben Blanchard, allowed them to articulate the principles and objectives of systems engineering in a manner that conveys the tremendous potential and value added by this discipline.

1999

Eberhardt Rechtin

An esteemed practitioner, teacher, and advocate of Systems Engineering. His service in a variety of industry and government posts has demonstrated his ability to manage and control the development of unprecedented, complex systems.

1998

Derek K. Hitchins

A proud public advocate and practitioner of Systems Engineering in Europe, and the spearhead and founding President of the United Kingdom Chapter of INCOSE. He has also published extensively in textbooks and journals, and has been an esteemed lecturer and professor throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. He is recognised as a """"""""grand statesman"""""""" of Systems Engineering in Europe

1997

Simon Ramo

an American physicist, engineer, business leader and author. He led development of microwave and missile technology.

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