Why Use Systems Engineering on Your Project?

The primary benefit of doing systems engineering is that it will reduce the risk of schedule and cost overruns and will provide a system of higher integrity. Other benefits include:

1. better system documentation
2. higher level of stakeholder participation
3. system functionality that meets stakeholders’ expectation
4. potential for shorter project cycles
5. systems that can evolve with a minimum of redesign and cost
6. higher level of system reuse
7. more predictable outcomes from projects

As more firms and public agencies begin to apply systems engineering to ITS projects, we are beginning to hear success stories. A few of these stories are documented in systems engineering testimonials that have been collected from transportation professionals from across the country.

Beyond the ITS industry, many studies show the importance of using systems engineering. These reports document how appropriate application of systems engineering has reduced the risks of project overruns and schedule delays.  The Systems Engineering Guidebook resources include several good studies of the value of systems engineering including: 1) The Standish Group “Chaos” study, 2) NASA studies, and 3) the INCOSE Center of Excellence “Value of Systems Engineering” study.