Canada

Welcome to The Canada Chapter

INCOSE Canada is a local chapter of the International Council of Systems Engineering. We are dedicated to building a vibrant community of practitioners by hosting talks of interest to the systems engineering community. Everyone is welcome to participate.

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The INCOSE Canada chapter is very excited about the upcoming 35th Annual INCOSE International Symposium 2025 hosted in Ottawa, Canada. More information on the conference Website: https://www.incose.org/symp2025

Just published: INCOSE CANADA April 2025 Newsletter

Implementing a Model Mesh in Model Based Systems Engineering

Location: Virtual event
Date and time: Mon, May 12, 2025 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
Organizer: INCOSE Canada Chapter

Abstract:

Implementing a coherent Data Model and Containment Tree structure is key to developing a Model of Models in MBSE. Many tools push a monolithic approach to avoid element duplication. In this webinar, we will discuss our journey from an unstructured MBSE approach to a replicable, reusable, tiered structure in Cameo Enterprise Architecture. This approach enables bi-directional model sharing, reuse of package elements in different contexts, and custom data analytics pathways, all while maintaining our Containment Tree structure.

Presenter Bio:
Blair MacDonald is a Principal for Safety within the Department of National Defence Associate Defence Minister (Materiel). He has over 25 years of military and public service. He served 18 years in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Naval Combat Systems Engineer and participated in a couple of operational tours during his career. For the last ten years he worked in Major Capital Programs with experience in physical modelling, requirements management, and most recently MBSE. Blair introduced Model Based Systems Engineering to DND in 2019 and is supported by several innovators to progress DND objectives. He has joined INCOSE in 2023 and is working towards his CSEP.

The INCOSE Canada chapter, along with the American Public Transportation Association, is calling all agencies and professionals to join in this exciting workshop. Don't miss this opportunity to shape the future of transportation project delivery. Join us in Ottawa on July 25, 2025, for this vital collaboration. More information here.

Just published: INCOSE CANADA March 2025 Newsletter

A Systems Engineering Approach to Functional Perseverance

Abstract:

Security is essential for modern engineered systems. Systems engineers must ensure operational integrity despite threats. This presentation explores how System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) and System Dynamics (SD) enhance security-aware engineering. We address resilience as a system property, ensuring function under adversarial conditions. Adaptive redundancy models and failure response strategies mitigate threats while maintaining capacity. The framework helps engineers quantify trade-offs, design adaptive security mechanisms, and integrate security into system functionality.

Just published: INCOSE CANADA Feb 2025 Newsletter

Dear Systems and Software Engineering Colleagues,

After successfully hosting the first study group in 2024 and helping systems engineers achieve their Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification, the INCOSE Canada Chapter is pleased to announce the second study group. Registrants will join a series of educational sessions to study the Systems Engineering Handbook v5 with fellow members over 13 weeks. The first session will be an introduction to SEP certification, followed by 12 weekly sessions featuring peer presentations and quizzes designed to simulate the INCOSE SEP exam, along with Q&A at the end of each session.

More information on our SEP page.

INCOSE Canada Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Certification Award

Aligned with the Canada Chapter's Strategic and Operational Plans, we are happy to announce that while program funds last for 2025, we are supporting Canada Chapter members who meet all of the following criteria with $30CAD award:

Member of INCOSE Canada for at least 90 days prior to this application
Participation in the INCOSE SEP exam dated from March 1st, 2025, to December 31st, 2025
Haven't received Canada Chapter SEP Certification award before
Capable of receiving money transfers by INTERAC

Your application will be reviewed within 10 working days from the date of application. Register for the Certification Award here.

Leveraging MBSE for Advanced Technology Development and IP Management - Monday, March 17, 2025, 5:00 pm PST

Presenter Bio and Abstract:

Shahram Pourazadi, a Technology Entrepreneur and IP Specialist with a Ph.D. in Engineering Science, excels in building IP portfolios, commercialization strategies, and fostering growth. Passionate about systematic product development and model-based technology management, he has led numerous patent applications and IP strategies across various industries. Currently, as an IP Consultant at Twelvivo Consulting, he leverages Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to enhance IP and technology management for high-tech companies

Mining on the Moon - Self Replicating Machines - Monday, February 10, 2025, 5:00 pm PST

Presenter Bio and Abstract:

This INCOSE Canada event features Prof. Alex Ellery, Canada Research Professor at Carleton University and a leading expert in space robotics. Prof. Ellery will present “Building the Future: Self-Replicating Machines and Lunar industrialization,” where he will discuss the potential of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and self-replicating machines for lunar industrialization. He will explain how extracting oxygen from lunar minerals and using self-replicating machines can revolutionize space exploration and enable large-scale projects like solar power satellites.

A Glimpse into the Next Generation of Modeling Tools: Introducing SysON, an Open-Source, Web-Based SysML v2 Graphical Modeling Environment - Monday, January 20, 2025, 5:00 pm PST

Presenter Bio:

This INCOSE virtual event, hosted by the INCOSE Canada Chapter, features speaker Stephane Lacrampe, Obeo. Stéphane Lacrampe co-founded Obeo in 2005, a leading independent software vendor based in France. Obeo specializes in open-source modeling software for system and software engineers, enterprise architects, and domain modeling experts, and supports tools like Capella and SysON. Stéphane served as Obeo's CEO until 2018 and now directs Obeo Canada. He is responsible for expanding the Capella and SysON ecosystem across North and South America, as well as Asia. Stéphane is a regular speaker at international conferences, co-chair of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Tools Database Working Group, and a board member of the INCOSE Canada chapter

Presentation Abstract:

After years of intensive collaboration, SysML v2 is on the brink of becoming an OMG-adopted standard. The Systems Engineering community eagerly anticipates a new generation of tools that will enable seamless, trusted collaboration in a digital engineering environment powered by this new standard. Obeo, a leading tool vendor known for supporting the open-source Capella ecosystem—one of the top three most widely used MBSE modeling tools—has been involved with the SysML v2 effort for the past five years as part of the SST team. At the end of last year, Obeo announced the launch of SysON, a new open-source project dedicated to implementing the SysML v2 graphical specification. In this presentation, we will introduce SysML v2, provide an overview of SysON’s development status and specification coverage, and showcase its capabilities through an extensive demo. We will also outline the vision and roadmap behind SysON and discuss how open-source tools like it can play a pivotal role in the upcoming digital engineering transformation.

Creating Our Future: INCOSE’s Strategic Plan - Monday, January 13, 2025, 5:00 pm PST

Presenter Bio:

This INCOSE virtual event, hosted by the INCOSE Canada Chapter, features speaker David Long, INCOSE Director for Strategic Integration. An INCOSE Fellow and Expert Systems Engineering Professional, David Long has served INCOSE since 1997 including leadership roles in the Washington Metropolitan Area Chapter and the International Board of Directors. David was the 2014/2015 President of INCOSE and returned to the International Board as INCOSE’s Director for Strategic Integration to help INCOSE develop and implement a new strategy. David has spent over 30 years helping organizations assess, adopt, and deploy methods to increase their systems engineering proficiency while simultaneously working to advance the state of the art. David founded and led Vitech where he developed innovative, industry-leading methods and software to engineer next-generation systems. He co-authored A Primer for Model-Based Systems Engineering and frequently delivers keynotes and workshops around the world.

Presentation Abstract:

When you look into the future, what do you see? Systems Engineering Vision 2035: Engineering Solutions for a Better World casts a vision for how the context and environment for systems engineering are changing, what new technologies are emerging, and how the practice of systems engineering must evolve to effectively address the challenges of tomorrow. It frames a to-be state for our practice just ten years into the future. But what about INCOSE, who we want to be, and the value we seek to deliver? Vision 2035 is silent on that as it should be because it is a vision for the discipline, not our organization. To help realize Vision 2035, INCOSE has developed a new vision, mission, and strategic plan to guide us as we advance the state of the art, state of the practice, and state of INCOSE to better serve our members, our profession, and our stakeholders. We will talk about the journey to this new plan, our objectives and strategies, and how to translate the strategy into action. The session will be an interactive dialog exploring the what and why of the strategic plan and, most importantly, how together we can create a better tomorrow.

Just published: INCOSE CANADA Q4 Newsletter

Why Systems Engineering is a Smart Investment: Managing Complexity, Reducing Risk, Saving Money - Monday, December 2, 2024, 5:00 pm PST

This INCOSE virtual event, hosted by the INCOSE Canada Chapter, features speaker Ivan Taylor, president of Policy Dynamics Inc. located in Kitchener, Canada. Ivan has been a Scientist Emeritus at the Centre for Operational Research in Defense R&D Canada where he was employed as a Defense Scientist for over 33 years. Ivan has a Ph.D. in Public Policy, an M.Sc. in Information and Systems Science, and a B.Sc. in Mathematics (Honours). Ivan has presented at the INCOSE International Workshop (IW) in 2021 and 2022 and the 34th Annual INCOSE International Symposium in 2024.

Presentation Abstract:

This presentation outlines the critical importance of Systems Engineering (SE) as a strategic investment for senior management. Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary approach that ensures complex projects are delivered successfully by managing risk, controlling costs, and reducing the likelihood of project failure. In today’s increasingly complex project environments, SE offers a structured method to identify customer needs early, manage requirements, and ensure all system components work together seamlessly throughout the lifecycle.

Research shows that organizations investing in SE can save 10-20% of their project budgets and significantly reduce the risk of delays and overruns. Without SE, the cost of fixing errors grows exponentially as projects progress, potentially reaching 250 times the initial cost if discovered late. SE provides early control over project requirements, interfaces, and integration, preventing costly late-stage surprises.

SE's return on investment (ROI) ranges from 4:1 to 10:1, making it a technical necessity and a business imperative. The message is clear: SE is not just about solving engineering problems; it’s about protecting the bottom line and ensuring long-term success.