Social Systems and Systems Engineering

The INCOSE Vision 2025, “A World in Motion,” traces throughout its narrative the inescapable interaction of systems engineering with “social systems.” It advocates the expansion of systems engineering involvement into such systems. It even lists, “Applying systems engineering to help shape policy related to social and natural systems” as one …

Organizing Your Models

“The only difference between a mob and a trained army is organization” – Calvin Coolidge Have you ever come across a model that was more of a mob than useful tool? I have! Systems Engineering is partly an effort in organizing your systems information and concepts in a way that …

A Variation on the Trade Study – Part 1

Trade study – a game everybody wants to play, but few know the rules.  In the engineering world, “trade study” seems to be the epitome of systems engineering success.  But in real-life Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices, what is a practical application of a tool like GENESYS for a trade …

Women in STEM at the Smithsonian

On March 5, the Smithsonian kicked off its Women’s Futures Month celebration of women in STEM on the National Mall with an exhibit of 120 3-D printed statues of notable women scientists, mathematicians and engineers. Each statue has a unique QR code that links to the inspiring personal story of …