INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook: A Guide for System Life Cycle Processes and Activities

A detailed and thorough reference on the discipline and practice of Systems Engineering

The objective of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Systems Engineering Handbook is to describe key process activities performed by systems engineers and other engineering professionals throughout the life cycle of a system. The book covers a wide range of fundamental system concepts that broaden the thinking of the systems engineering practitioner, such as system thinking, system science, life cycle management, specialty engineering, system–of–systems, and agile and iterative methods. This book also defines the discipline and practice of systems engineering for students and practicing professionals alike, providing an authoritative reference that is acknowledged world–wide.

The latest edition of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook:

Is consistent with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2014 Systems and software engineering – System life cycle processes and the Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) Has been updated to include the latest concepts of the INCOSE working groups Is the body of knowledge for the INCOSE Certification Process
This book is ideal for any engineering professional who has an interest in or needs to apply systems engineering practices. This includes the experienced systems engineer who needs a convenient reference, a product engineer or engineer in another discipline who needs to perform systems engineering, a new systems engineer, or anyone interested in learning more about systems engineering.

Handbook Editors:

David D. Walden, ESEP is co–owner and principal consultant for Sysnovation, LLC, which provides consulting and training in Systems Engineering throughout the world. Mr. Walden is a member of Tau Beta Pi, a Senior Member of the IEEE, and an INCOSE ESEP.

Garry J. Roedler, ESEP is a Fellow and the Engineering Outreach Program Manager for Lockheed Martin. Mr. Roedler is an INCOSE Fellow and the recipient of the INCOSE Founders Award, the IEEE Golden Core, the Lockheed Martin Technical Leadership Award, and the Lockheed Martin NOVA Award. 

Kevin J. Forsberg, ESEP is a recipient of the INCOSE Pioneer Award, an INCOSE Fellow, and a Fellow of ASME. Dr. Forsberg is co–owner and principal consultant for OGR Systems, Inc., which provides consulting and training in Systems Engineering and Project Management worldwide.

R. Douglas Hamelin is a Systems Engineering Specialist and Technical Writer for the Idaho National Laboratory. Mr. Hamelin is trained in requirements management, and contributes to a wide range of systems engineering applications as a functional analyst and document specialist.

Thomas M. Shortell, CSEP is a Senior Member of the engineering staff at Lockheed Martin. Mr. Shortell′s experience spans requirements, architecture, integration, verification, and validation. He is a member of INCOSE and an INCOSE CSEP.

Chapter 1. Systems Engineering Handbook Scope

1.1 Purpose

1.2 Application

1.3 Contents

1.4 Format

1.5 Definitions of Frequently Used Terms

Chapter 2. Systems Engineering Overview

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Definitions and Concepts of a System

2.3 The Hierarchy Within A System

2.4 Definition of Systems–of–Systems

2.5 Enabling Systems

2.6 Definition of Systems Engineering

2.7 Origins and Evolution of Systems Engineering

2.8 Use and Value of Systems Engineering

2.9 Systems Science and Systems Thinking

2.10 Systems Engineering Leadership

2.11 Systems Engineering Professional Development

Chapter 3. Generic Life Cycle Stages

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Life Cycle Characteristics

3.3 Life Cycle Stages

3.4 Life Cycle Approaches

3.5 What is Best for Your Organization, Project, or Team?

3.6 Introduction to Case Studies

Chapter 4. Technical Processes

4.1 Business or Mission Analysis Process

4.2 Stakeholder Needs and Requirements Definition Process

4.3 Systems Requirements Definition Process

4.4 Architecture Definition Process

4.5 Design Definition Process

4.6 System Analysis Process

4.7 Implementation Process

4.8 Integration Process

4.9 Verification Process

4.10 Transition Process

4.11 Validation Process

4.12 Operation Process

4.13 Maintenance Process

4.14 Disposal Process

Chapter 5. Technical Management Processes

5.1 Project Planning Process

5.2 Project Assessment and Control Process

5.3 Decision Management Process

5.4 Risk Management Process

5.5 Configuration Management Process

5.6 Information Management Process

5.7 Measurement Process

5.8 Quality Assurance Process

Chapter 6. Agreement Processes

6.1 Acquisition Process

6.2 Supply Process

Chapter 7. Organizational Project–Enabling Processes

7.1 Life Cycle Model Management Process

7.2 Infrastructure Management Process

7.3 Portfolio Management Process

7.4 Human Resource Management Process

7.5 Quality Management Process

7.6 Knowledge Management Process

Chapter 8. Tailoring Process and Application  of Systems Engineering

8.1 Tailoring Process

8.2 Tailoring for Specific Product Sector or Domain Application

8.3 Application of Systems Engineering for Product Line Management

8.4 Application of Systems Engineering for Services

8.5 Application of Systems Engineering for Enterprises

8.6 Application of Systems Engineering for Very Small and Micro Enterprises (VSME)

Chapter 9. Cross–Cutting Systems Engineering Methods

9.1 Modeling and Simulation

9.2 Model–Based Systems Engineering

9.3 Functions–Based Systems Engineering Method

9.4 Object–Oriented Systems Engineering Method

9.5 Prototyping

9.6 Interface Management

9.7 Integrated Product and Process Development

9.8 Lean Systems Engineering

9.9 Agile Systems Engineering

Chapter 10. Specialty Engineering Activities

10.1 Affordability/Cost Effectiveness/Life–Cycle Cost Analysis

10.2 Electromagnetic Compatibility

10.3 Environmental Engineering/Impact Analysis

10.4 Interoperability Analysis

10.5 Logistics Engineering

10.6 Manufacturing and Producibility Analysis

10.7 Mass Properties Engineering

10.8 Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability

10.9 Resilience Engineering

10.10 System Safety Engineering

10.11 System Security Engineering

10.12 Training Needs Analysis

10.13 Usability Analysis/Human Systems Integration

10.14  Value Engineering

Appendix A: References

Appendix B: Acronyms

Appendix C: Terms and Definitions

Appendix D: N2 Diagram of Systems Engineering Processes

Appendix E: Input–Output Descriptions

Appendix F: Acknowledgements

Appendix G: Comment Form

Index

Handbook Editors:

David D. Walden, ESEP is co–owner and principal consultant for Sysnovation, LLC, which provides consulting and training in Systems Engineering throughout the world. Mr. Walden is a member of Tau Beta Pi, a Senior Member of the IEEE, and an INCOSE ESEP.

Garry J. Roedler, ESEP is a Fellow and the Engineering Outreach Program Manager for Lockheed Martin. Mr. Roedler is an INCOSE Fellow and the recipient of the INCOSE Founders Award, the IEEE Golden Core, the Lockheed Martin Technical Leadership Award, and the Lockheed Martin NOVA Award. 

Kevin J. Forsberg, ESEP is a recipient of the INCOSE Pioneer Award, an INCOSE Fellow, and a Fellow of ASME. Dr. Forsberg is co–owner and principal consultant for OGR Systems, Inc., which provides consulting and training in Systems Engineering and Project Management worldwide.

R. Douglas Hamelin is a Systems Engineering Specialist and Technical Writer for the Idaho National Laboratory. Mr. Hamelin is trained in requirements management, and contributes to a wide range of systems engineering applications as a functional analyst and document specialist.

Thomas M. Shortell, CSEP is a Senior Member of the engineering staff at Lockheed Martin. Mr. Shortell′s experience spans requirements, architecture, integration, verification, and validation. He is a member of INCOSE and an INCOSE CSEP.