A Historical Perspective on Development of Systems Engineering Discipline: A Review and Analysis

Abstract

Since its inception, Systems Engineering (SE) has developed as a distinctive discipline, and there has been significant progress in this field in the past two decades. Compared to other engineering disciplines, SE is not affirmed by a set of underlying fundamental propositions, instead it has emerged as a set of best practices to deal with intricacies stemming from the stochastic nature of engineering complex systems and addressing their problems. Since the existing methodologies and paradigms (dominant patterns of thought and concepts) of SE are very diverse and somewhat fragmented. This appears to create some confusion regarding the design, deployment, operation, and application of SE. The purpose of this paper is 1) to delineate the development of SE from 1926–2017 based on insights derived from a histogram analysis, 2) to discuss the different paradigms and school of thoughts related to SE, 3) to derive a set of fundamental attributes of SE using advanced coding techniques and analysis, and 4) to present a newly developed instrument that could assess the performance of systems engineers. More than Two hundred and fifty different sources have been reviewed in this research in order to demonstrate the development trajectory of the SE discipline based on the frequency of publication.

Keywords

Systems Engineering (SE) / history / development / systems engineering attributes / performance measures

References

[1] Abdallah S B, Zouari A, Aidi M, Maalej A (2014). Logistics integration in product design using a systems engineering approach. In Advanced Logistics and Transport (ICALT). International Conference on IEEE.

[2] Ackoff R. Towards a system of systems concepts. Management Science, 1971, 17(11): 661-672.

[3] Adcock R D (2015).Guide to the systems engineering body of knowledge (SEBoK). The Trustees of the Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT), Hoboken, NJ.

[4] Alfaqiri A, Hossain N U I, Jaradat R, Abutabenjeh S, Keating C, Khasawneh M, Pinto A (2019). A systemic approach for disruption risk assessment in oil and gas supply chains. International Journal of Critical Infrastructure 15(3).

[5] Arnold S (2000). Systems engineering: from process towards profession. Proceedings of The 10th Annual Symposium of the INCOSE.

[6] Bahill A T, Gissing B. Re-evaluating systems engineering concepts using systems thinking. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C:Applications and Reviews, 1998, 28(4): 516-527.

[7] Barnett G A (2011). Encyclopedia of Social Networks. SAGE Publications Inc.

[8] Barnett G A (2004).Exploratory data analysis. In: Lewis-Beck M S, Bryman A, Liao T F (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. SAGE Publications Inc.

[9] Beer S (1972). Brain of the Firm. John Wiley & Sons.

[10] Bertalanffy L (1968). General Systems Theory. Brazillier.

[11] Blanchard B, Fabrycky W. Systems Engineering and Analysis, 1981

[12] Brill J H. Systems engineering: A retrospective view. Systems Engineering, 1998, 1(4): 258-266.

[13] Brown A S. Reliability of airborne electronic equipment and our ability to maintain it for war. Transactions of the IRE Professional Group on Aeronautical and Navigational Electronics, 1953, 9: 3-9.

[14] Brown D E, Scherer W T. A comparison of systems engineering programs in the United States. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C, 1998, 30(2): 204-212.

[15] Buede D M, Miller W D(2016). The Engineering Design of Systems: Models and methods. John Wiley & Sons.

[16] Charmaz K, Belgrave L. Qualitative interviewing and grounded theory analysis. The SAGE Handbook of Interview Research: The Complexity of the Craft, 2012, 2: 347-365.

[17] Chase W P (1974). Management of Systems Engineering. Robert Krieger Malabar.

[18] Checkland P (1981). Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. Wiley.

[19] Chestnut H (1965). Systems Engineering Tools. Wiley.

[20] Choi T M (2016). Service Supply Chain Systems: A systems engineering approach. CRC Press.

[21] Clemson B (1991). Cybernetics: A new management tool. CRC Press.

[22] CMMI (2001). Appraisal Requirements for CMMI, Version 1.1 (ARC, V1. 1).

[23] Corbin J M, Strauss A. Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria. Qualitative Sociology, 2000, 13(1): 3-21.

[24] Defense Systems Management College (1990). Systems Engineering Management Guide. US Government Printing Office.

[25] ECSS-E-10-01 (1996). System Engineering Process. European Cooperation for Space Standardization.

[26] EIA 632(1994). EIA 632 Standard: Processes for engineering a system.

[27] Engstrom E W. Systems engineering: A growing concept. Electrical Engineering, 1957, 76(2): 113-116.

[28] Fahimnia B, Sarkis J, Davarzani H. Green supply chain management: A review and bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Production Economics, 2015, 162: 101-114.

[29] Ferris T L(2007a). Some early history of systems engineering — 1950’s in IRE publications (Part 1): The problem. INCOSE International Symposium:1080–1095.

[30] Ferris Timothy L.J.. 7.4.3 Some Early History of Systems Engineering - 1950's in IRE Publications (Part 1): The Problem. INCOSE International Symposium, 2007, 17(1): 1080-1095.

[31] Ferris T L(2007c). History of Systems Engineering (Part 3) — 1950’s in Various Engineering Sources. In INCOSE International Symposium: 46–57.

[32] Flood R L, Jackson M C (1991). Systems Engineering Coping with Complexity. Wiley.

[33] Ford W (2010). Learning and teaching math. Available from: http://mathmaine.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/problemsfall-into-four-categoriesl.

[34] Forsberg K, Mooz H. The relationship of systems engineering to the project cycle. Engineering Management Journal, 1992, 4(3): 36-43.

[35] Gardy J O (2000). Systems Engineering Deployment. CRC Press.

[36] GDRC(2009). The Problem Solving Process. Available from: http://www.gdrc.org/decision/problemsolve.Html.

[37] Goode H H, Machol R E(1959). Systems Engineering. McGraw-Hill.

[38] Gorod A, Sauser B, Boardman J. System-of-systems engineering management: A review of modern history and a path forward. IEEE Systems Journal, 2008, 2(4): 484-499.

[39] Gotel O C, Finkelstein C W (1994). An analysis of the requirements traceability problem. In Requirements Engineering. Proceedings of the First International Conference on IEEE.

[40] Grasler I, Yang X (2014). Interdisciplinary development of production systems using systems engineering. Procedia CIRP.

[41] Hall A D (1962). A Methodology for Systems Engineering. Nostand Ed. Princeton.

[42] Hallam C R A (2001). An overview of systems engineering. Available from: web.mit.edu/esd.83/www/notebook/syseng.doc

[43] Hallqvist Jonas, Larsson Jonas. Introducing MBSE By using Systems Engineering Principles. INCOSE International Symposium, 2016, 26(1): 512-525.

[44] Haskins C, Forsberg K, Krueger M, Walden D, Hamelin D (2006). Systems Engineering Handbook. INCOSE.

[45] Hawley M E. Speech communications in aircraft. Transactions of the IRE Professional Group on Communications Systems, 1956, 4(2): 173-174.

[46] Hazelrigg G A (1996). Systems Engineering: An approach to information-based design. Pearson College Division.

[47] Hitchins D K (2003). Advanced Systems Thinking, Engineering, and Management. Artech House.

[48] Hitchins D K (2007). Systems Engineering — A 21st Century Systems Methodology. Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[49] Hitchins D K(2007). Systems Engineering. Wiley.

[50] Hitchins D K (2005). Systems methodology. Conference on Systems Engineering Research.

[51] Hollnagel E, Woods D(2005). Joint Cognitive Systems: Foundations of cognitive systems engineering. CRC Press.

[52] Hossain NUI, Jaradat R(2018). A synthesis of definitions for systems engineering. Proceedings of the International Annual Conference of the American Society for Engineering Management.

[53] Hossain N U I, Nur F, Hosseini S, Jaradat R, Marufuzzaman M, Puryear S. A Bayesian network based approach for modelling and assessing resilience: A case study of a full service deep water port. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 2019, 189: 378-396.

[54] Hossain N U I, Jaradat R, Hossein S, Marufuzzaman M, Buchanan R K. A framework for modeling and assessing system resilience using a Bayesian network: A case study of an interdependent electrical infrastructure system. International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 2019, 25: 62-83.

[55] Hossain N U I, Nagahi M, Jaradat R, Keating C (2019c). Development of an instrument to assess the performance of systems engineers. Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.

[56] Hosseini S, Morshedlou N, Ivanov D, Sarder M D, Barker K, Al Khaled A. Resilient supplier selection and optimal order allocation under disruption risks. International Journal of Production Economics, 2019, 213: 124-137.

[57] Hosseini S, Al Khaled A, Sarder M D. A general framework for assessing system resilience using Bayesian networks: A case study of sulfuric acid manufacture. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 2016, 41: 124-137.

[58] Hosseini S, Barker K. Modeling infrastructure resilience using Bayesian networks: A case study of inland waterway ports. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 2016, 93: 252-266.

[59] IEEE P1220(1994). Standard for Application and Management of the Systems Engineering Process. IEEE.

[60] Jaradat R, Katina P (2011). A synthesis of definitions for system of systems engineering. Proceedings of the 32nd National ASEM Conference: 589–596.

[61] Jaradat R M, Keating C B, Bradley J M. A histogram analysis for system of systems. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2014, 5(3): 193-227.

[62] Jaradat R M, Keating C B, Bradley J M. Individual capacity and organizational competency for systems thinking. IEEE Systems Journal, 2017, 12(2): 1203-1210.

[63] Jackson M C, Keys P. Towards a system of systems methodologies. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1984, 35(6): 473-486.

[64] Jenkins G M (1969).The Systems Approach in Systems Behaviour. Harper and Row.

[65] Kasser J (2002).Systems engineering: An alternative management paradigm? Doctoral Dissertation. Systems Engineering Society of Australia.

[66] Kasser Joseph E.. 6.4.1 The Hitchins-Kasser-Massie (HKM) Framework for Systems Engineering. INCOSE International Symposium, 2007, 17(1): 946-968.

[67] Kasser J E, Hitchins D K (2011). Unifying systems engineering: Seven principles for systems engineered solution systems. Proceedings of the 20th International Symposium of the INCOSE.

[68] Kasser J E, Zhao Y Y, Mirchandani C J (2014). Simplifying managing stakeholder expectations using the nine-system model and the holistic thinking perspectives. INCOSE International Symposium.

[69] Keating C, Rogers R, Unal R, Dryer D, Sousa-Poza A, Safford R, Rabadi G. System of systems engineering. Engineering Management Journal, 2003, 15(3): 36-45.

[70] Keating C B, Katina P F. Systems of systems engineering: Prospects and challenges for the emerging fields. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2011, 2(3): 234-256.

[71] Kelly M J (1950). The Bell Telephone Laboratories — an example of an institute of creative technology. Proceeding R. Soc. Lond. B: 419–433.

[72] Kirshner D R. Air traffic control in the jet age. Transactions of the IRE professional Group on Communications Systems, 1956, 4(2): 34-47.

[73] Kline S J. Conceptual Foundations for Multidisciplinary Thinking, 1995, Stanford: Stanford University Press

[74] Kossiakoff A, Sweet W N, Seymour S J, Biemer S M (2011). Systems Engineering Principles and Practice. John Wiley & Sons.

[75] M'Pherson P.K.. Systems engineering: a proposed definition. IEE Proceedings A Physical Science, Measurement and Instrumentation, Management and Education, Reviews, 1986, 133(6): 330

[76] Mar B (2009). Commentary on the consensus of IN-COSE fellows. Available from: http://www.incose.org/practice/fellowsconsensus.aspxl.

[77] Martin J N (1996). Systems Engineering Guidebook. CRC Press.

[78] Martin J N (1997). Systems Engineering Guidebook: A Process for Developing Systems and Products. CRC Press.

[79] Miles R F Jr (1973). Systems Concepts. Wiley.

[80] MIL-STD-499A(1974). MIL-STD-499A Engineering Management. United States Department of Defense (USAF).

[81] MIL-STD-499B(1992). MIL-STD-499B. Military Standard, Systems Engineering Draft. United States Department of Defense (USAF).

[82] Mishra D, Gunasekaran A, Papadopoulos T, Hazen B. Green supply chain performance measures: A review and bibliometric analysis. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2017, 10: 85-99.

[83] Mooz Harold, Forsberg Kevin. Visualizing System Engineering and Project Management as an Integrated Process. INCOSE International Symposium, 1997, 7(1): 573-580.

[84] Nagahi M, Hossain N U I, Jaradat R (2019a). Gender differences in practitioners’ preferences for systems-thinking skills. Proceeding of American Society for Engineering Management 2019 International Annual Conference and 40th Annual Meeting.

[85] Nagahi M, Hossain N U I, Jaradat R, Grogan S (2019b). Moderation effect of managerial experience on the level of systems-thinking skills. Proceeding of the 13th Annual IEEE International Systems Conference.

[86] Okress E C, Gleason C H, White R A, Hayter W R. Design and performance of a high power pulsed magnetron. IRE Transactions on Electron Devices, 1957, 4(2): 161-171.

[87] Olthuis R W. Considerations in klystron design for microwave relay systems. Transactions of the IRE Professional Group on Communications Systems, 1954, 2: 103-107.

[88] OVAE (2005). Problem-solving process. Available from: http://wvww.cpal.net/course/module3/pdf/Week3_Lesson21.pdf.

[89] Perrow C (1984). Normal Accidents: Living with High-Risk Technologies. Basic Books.

[90] Peugeot T (2014). System Engineering, for a Cognitive Sciences Approach. CSDM posters.

[91] Qiqqa (2017). Available from: http://www.qiqqa.com/.

[92] Qiqqa QRS International(2017). Available from:web.mit.edu/esd.83/www/notebook/syseng.doc.

[93] Radicchi F, Castellano C, Cecconi F, Loreto V, Parisi D (2004). Defining and identifying communities in networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[94] Rechtin E, Maier M W (2000). The Art of Systems Architecting. CRC Press.

[95] Roe C L (1995). The role of the project manager in systems engineering. The 5th Annual International Symposium of the INCOSE.

[96] Romig H G. Engineering and testing for reliability. IRE Transactions on Reliability and Quality Control, 1956, 6: 21-26.

[97] Sage A P (1995). Systems Management for Information Technology and Software Engineering. Wiley.

[98] Sailor (1990). Identifiable capabilities expressed as performance measurable of functions that the system must possess to meet the mission objectives.

[99] Saukko T. Factors Affecting Customer Profitability: A bibliometric study, 2014, Lappeenranta: Lappeenranta University of Technology

[100] Schlager K J. Systems engineering — key to modern development. IRE Transactions on Engineering Management, 1956, 3(3): 64-66.

[101] Scopus (2017). Scopus database. Available from: www.scopus.com.

[102] Shannon C, Weaver W (1949). The Mathmatical Theory of Information. University of Illinois Press.

[103] Shenhar A J, Bonen Z. The new taxonomy of systems: Toward an adaptive systems engineering framework. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics-Part A: Systems and Humans, 1997, 27(2): 137-145.

[104] Shenhar A. Systems engineering management: A framework for the development of a multidisciplinary discipline. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 1994, 24(2): 327-333.

[105] Shepherd C C (2014). A systems engineering approach to quality assurance for aerospace testing. Available from: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20140010105.pdfl.

[106] Shinners S (1967). Techniques of Systems Engineering. McGraw-Hill.

[107] Shishko R (1995). NASA Systems Engineering Handbook. US Government Printing Office.

[108] Shishko R, Aster R (1995). NASA Systems Engineering Handbook. NASA Special Publication.

[109] Skyttner L (1996). General Systems Theory. Trans-Atlantic.

[110] Smuts J (1926). Holism and Evaluationg. Macmillan.

[111] Soleimani N, Nagahi M, Nagahisarchoghaei M, Jaradat R. The relationship between personality types and the cognitive-metacognitive strategies. Journal of Studies in Education, 2018, 8(2): 29-44.

[112] Spanke W F. Department of the Army command communications. Transactions of the IRE Professional Group on Communications Systems, 1954, 2(3): 43-50.

[113] Speaks F A. Power amplifier klystron tubes for U.H.F. transmission. Transactions of the IRE Professional Group on Communications Systems, 1956, 4(1): 69-76.

[114] Spiegel J, Bennett E M. Military system reliability: Department of defense contributions. Electrical Engineering, 1957, 9(3): 1-9.

[115] Steiner J E. Three models for three ranges the Boeing 707. Mechanical Engineering, 1959, 81(5): 46-49.

[116] Stevens R, Brook P, Jackson K, Arnold S (1998). Systems Engineering Coping with Complexity. Prentice Hall.

[117] Stirgus E, Nagahi M, Ma J, Jaradat R, Strawderman L, Eakin D (2019). Determinants of systems thinking in college engineering students: Research initiation. Proceeding of the 126th Annual Conference & Exposition American Society for Engineering Education.

[118] Tolk A, Adams K, Keating B (2011). Intelligence-Based Systems Engineering. Springer.

[119] Valerdi R (2008). Systems engineering economics. Available from:http://seari.mit.edu/documents/summit/2008/07-SEAriSummit08_RP_Valerdi.pdfl.

[120] Vencel L S, Cook C (2005). Methodology selection for the engineering of defence systems. The 15th INCOSE Annual International Symposium.

[121] Wymore A W. Model-based systems engineering. The Journal of INCOSE, 1994, 1(1): 83-92.

[122] Wymore A W (1976). Systems Engineering Methodology for Interdisciplinary Teams. John Wiley & Sons, 1976.

[123] Yong-Hak J (2013). Web of Science. Thomson Reuters. Available from:http://wokinfo.com/media/pdf/WoSFS_08_7050.pdf.