Systems Engineering: Its Emerging Academic And Professional Attributes (original) (raw)

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

From its modest beginnings mo re t han a half-century ago, Systems Engineering is no w gaining international recognition as an effect ive technologically based interdisciplinary process for bringing hu man-made s y s t e m s into being, and for improving systems already in being. Certain desirable academic and professional attributes are coming into clear view. Ot hers require further study, development, testing, and implementation. This paper summarizes the heritage from which Systems Engineering entered the 21 st century. Several emerging attributes o f S yst ems E ng ineer ing education and professional practice are addressed. These include the necessary but not sufficient academic and professional activities of technical s o c i e t i e s , degree programs and program accreditation, certification and licensing, knowledge generati o n and publications, recognition and ho no rs, and considerations regarding maturity. Special attention is directed to t ho se attributes that should be developed further to enable Systems Engineering to serve s o c i e t y well in this century.