Premier Systems Engineering Workshop

Frequently Asked Questions

What is INCOSE?

INCOSE is the International Council on Systems Engineering. Information about the history of the organization, its mission and objectives can be found on the website at www.incose.org.

What is the INCOSE workshop?

International Workshop is the event of the year for systems engineers to contribute to the state of the art. Unlike INCOSE's annual International Symposium and other conferences, there are no paper, panel or tutorial presentations. Instead, attendees spend 4 days working alongside fellow systems engineers who are there to make a difference. Systems Engineers at all levels and from all backgrounds are encouraged to engage in working sessions, and contribute their knowledge and experience to take the discipline forward.
IW2023 facilitates a moment and a place where attendees shall build networks, perform activities, and produce outcomes beyond their typical network and focus area. Accomplishing these goals is greatly enabled by in person attendance, with virtual participation offered for selected sessions. Hybrid sessions will strive to include virtual attendees as much as possible, yet individual experiences will vary.
Sessions are encouraged to inclusively engage multiple working groups, diverse practitioners, and multiple competency levels as they complete meeting outcomes, satisfying the session's purpose. Attendees should experience a different yet complementary experience to regular working group meetings throughout the year.
IW2023 is focused upon:

  • Future of Systems Engineering (FuSE)
    • Hybrid keynote by Dr. Olivier De Weck
    • In-person and open working sessions on Vision & Roadmap, Foundations, Methodology, and Application Extension.
    • Virtual sessions will be held after IW to continue this important effort.
  • Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
    • Hybrid keynote by Dr. Nancy Leveson
    • A full day of critical MBSE updates (SysML v2, MBSE standards, liaisons, …)
    • Hybrid workshops on AI/Machine Learning and System Safety
  • Multi-working group sessions, mobilizing participants from different horizons. For example:
    • An afternoon hybrid session with all Application domain Working Groups reflecting upon the morning FuSE workshop session.
    • Smart Cities Initiative who collaborate with MBSE, Architecture, Social Systems, CIPR, System of Systems, Infrastructure, Transportation, and local chapter working groups to progress their efforts.
  • Outreach sessions, raising awareness beyond each group to increase engagement including:
    • INCOSE Service Operations and how partnering with Services contributes to INCOSE products, Working Group effectiveness, and systems engineering.
    • The Social Systems working group reaching out to domains beyond traditional systems engineering areas.

Planned sessions will be published on the website as these become available and scheduled via the meeting request tool.
The International Workshop 2023 will be held as a hybrid event allowing for in person and virtual participation, subject to session hosts. Hybrid sessions will strive to include virtual attendees as much as possible, yet individual experiences will vary.
IW2023 is open to INCOSE members, and non-members are encouraged to join INCOSE prior to the IW. For more information about membership, please visit www.incose.org/incose-member-resources/join-incose or email info@incose.net.

When and where is the workshop this year?

IW2023 will be hybrid, 28 – 31 January, 2023. The workshop will be held at the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach Hotel in Torrance, CA.

Who can attend the workshop?

The workshop is open to members, and non-members are encouraged to join INCOSE prior to attending the IW.

COVID 19 - What to expect at the International Workshop?

The health and safety of our attendees is our top priority.
INCOSE, along with the Marriott Hotel, will adhere to the current health precautions in effect when IW 2023 convenes. The local jurisdictions are the City of Torrance, the County of Los Angeles, and the State of California.

What is the meaning of a hybrid event?

A hybrid event combines in-person and virtual elements in a way that unlocks a live dialogue between and among presenters and attendees—whether they join in person or online.
IW2023 will include an in-person experience at the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach hotel and an online experience hosted on our virtual event platform.

How much does workshop registration cost?

Attending in person

You may register either for the full Workshop (four days) or for one or two days. Registration allows unlimited access to plenary session and open meetings (please refer to What is the difference between an open and closed meeting at the IW and IS?)food and beverage for lunch, breaks, and the closing reception, as well as registration materials. Attendance for three days will be treated as a full registration. Guest tickets for social events are available when you register. Please note that this allows guests access to the event space, but does not include attendance of the Workshop sessions or meals and breaks.

Attending remotely

Registration for remote participants includes a full registration allowing 4 days of access to on demand and live sessions but also to open meetings (please refer to What is the difference between an open and closed meeting at the IW and IS?). Some sessions might not be broadcasted and recorded. Please check the program for more information on each session INCOSE members receive a discount on their registration fees. For more information visit the registration fees webpage. Questions about registration should be directed to registration@incose.net

Which video conferencing tools will be used for the hybrid workshop?

INCOSE will use a customized web-based environment for the Hybrid 2023 Workshop providing access to on demand and live sessions. Live sessions will be streamed on the virtual platform or conducted using Zoom.

When can I register?

Online registration is open. visit the registration fees webpage.
On-site registration is also accepted.
Additional questions about the registration process should be directed to registration@incose.net.

When will the program be available?

The program is forming according to members/WGs submitting their meetings & workshops. These focused workshop sessions will include small group breakouts, interspersed mini-presentations, interactive dialog, and input from multiple areas of expertise to produce key outcomes and decisions (e.g. advance a product, create a new product, broaden knowledge). Stay tuned!

What is the difference between an open and closed meeting at the IW and IS? 

INCOSE values transparency in all its actions and activities. An open meeting is one in which you can just drop in and start contributing to the work of the participants - in true workshop style. Closed meetings are those with a focused agenda and an audience qualified to address the agenda. In many cases, you can reach out to the chair of a meeting in advance - either to join the group or to observe. In some cases, it may be inappropriate; for example, the CAB is for corporate members; the CAG is the advisory group for Certification discussing sensitive topics where the meeting must be closed to protect the integrity of the process and the certification.

Is there a standardized measure of conference hours for INCOSE continuing education requirements?

Participants in INCOSE’s International Workshop (IW) and International Symposium (IS) may claim Professional Development Units (PDUs) toward their renewal as Associate Systems Engineering Professionals (ASEPs) and Certified Systems Engineering Professionals (CSEPs). IW participation counts toward the category of “Attend non-peer-reviewed Professional Technical Society event,” for which they may claim a maximum of 30 PDUs in a renewal period. IS participation counts toward the category of “Attend peer-reviewed Professional Technical Society event,” for which there is no maximum in a renewal period. Working group meetings outside of the IW and IS count toward the category of “Participate on Professional Technical Society working groups, committees, etc.” for which there is no maximum in a renewal period. All activities should be claimed according to the number of hours of participation, rounded to the nearest quarter hour, with one hour equaling 1 PDU. More information on INCOSE Certification renewal is posted at https://www.incose.org/systems-engineering-certification/the-certification-process/how-do-i-renew

Travel to the U.S.

Frequently asked questions on Covid-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Travel Please check this web site for up-to-date information:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/covid-19-faqs-for-travel-to-the-us-information.html

Passport & Visa

Most travelers to the United States must hold a valid visa and a passport that is valid six months longer than the intended visit. Visitors planning to visit or attend a meeting will most likely apply for a B-1 visa. Visa applicants are advised to apply as soon as they decide to travel to the United States and at least 3 to 4 months in advance. All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers will be required to have a machine-readable passport (MRP) in order to enter the United States without a visa. As a standard part of the visa process, the State Department now requires that consular officers interview almost every applicant. Some consulates may have a long wait for an interview so applicants should contact the consulate to schedule an interview as early as possible. Contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for details on visa application procedures at that location.

ESTA - Latest information for VWP travelers

ESTA is a fully automated, internet-based electronic system for screening Visa Waiver Program VWP passengers before they begin travel to the United States.
Effective since January 12, 2009, ESTA is mandatory and all VWP travelers are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP.

International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are now subject to enhanced security requirements and will be required to pay an administrative fee.

More information can be found at: 
www.cbp.gov/travel/
www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta

Disclaimer
The information is provided as a courtesy but is subject to change. If you are uncertain of your personal status, please contact the US Bureau of Consular Affairs.