7.2.3 Is it only Systems Engineers that do Systems Engineering?

Misunderstanding and confusion surround the use of the words “system”1 and “systems” in conjunction with engineers and engineering. Some engineers describe themselves as systems engineers but does this tell us what they actually do? Some organisations describe themselves as producing software systems; does this mean they need only software engineers to do this? The words “system” and “systems” are all-embracing terms which at the corporate level can usefully indicate an ability to take on large complex engineering tasks but when used at a more local level can obscure and confuse an individual’s roles and tasks.