Key Systems Engineering Principles

The Systems Engineer must:

• View the system from the stakeholder points of view [walk in the shoes of the system's owner and stakeholders]. Key processes include needs assessment, elicitation, Concept of Operations, and stakeholder involvement.
• Start at the finish line defines the output of the system and the way the system is going to operate. Key processes include Concept of Operations and Validation Plan.
• Address risks as early as possible where the cost impacts are lowest. Key processes include risk management, requirements, and stakeholder involvement [spend more time on the left side of the Vee]
• Push technology choices to the last possible moment. Define what is to be done before defining how it is to be done [form follows function].
• Focus on interfaces of the system during the definition of the system. Defining clear and standard interfaces and managing them through the development will ease the integration of the individual elements of the system.
• Understand the organization of the system's owner, stakeholders, and development team.