The relevance of Systems Engineering is perceived quite differently, ranging from “Systems Engineering solves all current problems” to “We’ve always done Systems Engineering, so what’s new about it?”
The challenges of our times include increasing complexity, greater product and variant diversity, stricter cost and quality requirements, and the need to consider the sustainability of a product throughout its entire lifecycle. These challenges are cross-industry, cross-discipline, and independent of the specific systems being developed, making a comprehensive approach like Systems Engineering essential.
The Value of Systems Engineering
Systems Engineering is based on several core principles, such as systems thinking, variation management, methodical problem-solving, and structured development processes.
The value generated by applying Systems Engineering varies. Developing highly complex and novel systems requires the collective effort of everyone involved in the development process. By breaking down silos between disciplines (e.g., mechanical, electrical, electronics, and software development), Systems Engineering, as an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, offers immense potential.
“The skilled employees of a company already know best how to develop a good product, but Systems Engineering makes development efficient, effective, and sustainable.”
Successfully managing complexity requires engineering teams to be interdisciplinary and cover a wide range of competencies to address the multifaceted nature of modern development challenges. This means teams must integrate expertise from diverse fields, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software development, and even disciplines like user experience (UX) design, data science, and sustainability. By leveraging varied skill sets and perspectives, interdisciplinary teams are better equipped to navigate the interconnected challenges that arise in complex systems, such as integrating hardware and software components or balancing cost, quality, and environmental considerations.
Moreover, collaboration within these teams must go beyond superficial cooperation. It requires establishing a shared language, aligning goals across disciplines, and fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect. This approach ensures that critical insights from different fields are not overlooked and that all aspects of a system are addressed holistically.
Interdisciplinary teams also benefit from adopting model-based approaches, such as Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), which act as a common framework for collaboration. These tools and methodologies allow team members to visualize, analyze, and refine the system as a whole, bridging gaps between disciplines and ensuring alignment throughout the development lifecycle.
The application of model-based development approaches, such as Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), presents enormous opportunities for companies. Compared to traditional documentation, models offer numerous advantages: reusability, adaptability, and scalability. Additionally, digitizing development models, whether they represent system models or specific aspects, ensures traceability and data consistency through model interconnectivity.
Conclusion
Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary approach that permeates many areas. To be effective, it must be reflected in processes, methods, tools, and the organization as a whole. This means that Systems Engineering cannot be treated in isolation but must be closely linked to a company’s structure and workflows to achieve optimal integration and impact.
The added value and benefits of Systems Engineering are not limited to large corporations. Based on our practical experience, we are firmly convinced that Systems Engineering offers real value for all companies.
Systems Engineering, in its entirety, forms the foundation for remaining competitive in the future!
