Is there a systems engineering silver bullet? In Part I of this two-part series, I described the criticality of high-quality tools and processes but cautioned that they are not a guarantee of success. They are not a silver bullet. Engineers must still apply engineering rigor for projects to be successful. …

We have all seen some variant of the famous Sidney Harris cartoon – two people standing at the chalkboard, an incredibly complex series of equations or process flow on the left, a simplification or result on the right, and the words “then a miracle occurs” in the middle. It’s an …

(This is Part I of a two-part series. The second post in this series is: Is there a systems engineering silver bullet? Part II: (Not) Reinventing the Wheel.) Is there a systems engineering silver bullet that ensures mission, program, or project design success? As much as we would like to …

I have a passion for sailing. I got the bug when I was learning how to be a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy over 30 years ago. Recently, I crewed on a sailboat participating in the St. Petersburg to Habana offshore race. Habana, as in Havana, Cuba. A unique …