Systems Engineering
Compilation of 37 competencies needed for systems engineering, with information for individuals and organizations on how to identify and assess competence
This book provides guidance on how to evaluate proficiency in the competencies defined in the systems engineering competency framework and how to differentiate between proficiency at each of the five levels of proficiency defined within that document. Readers will learn how to create a benchmark standard for each level of proficiency within each competence area, define a set of standardized terminology for competency indicators to promote like-for-like comparison, and provide typical non-domain-specific indicators of evidence which may be used to confirm experience in each competency area.
Sample topics covered by the three highly qualified authors include:
- The five proficiency levels: awareness, supervised practitioner, practitioner, lead practitioner, and expert
- The numerous knowledge, skills, abilities, and behavior indicators of each proficiency level
- What an individual needs to know and be able to do in order to behave as an effective systems engineer
- How to develop training courses, education curricula, job advertisements, job descriptions, and job performance evaluation criteria for system engineering positions
For organizations, companies, and individual practitioners of systems engineering, this book is a one-stop resource for considering the competencies defined in the systems engineering competency framework and judging individuals based off them.
Table of Contents:
List of SECF Tables xi
List of SECF Figures xi
List of SECAG Tables xii
List of SECAG Figures xii
INCOSE Notices xiii
Acknowledgements xiii
Introduction xiv
Purpose xiv
Scope xiv
Part I: Systems Engineering Competency Framework 1
SECF Introduction 3
SECF Scope 3
SECF Purpose 3
SECF Context 3
SECF Objective 4
SECF Document Overview 4
INCOSE SE Competency Framework Definition 5
Competency Overview 5
Framework Structure 6
Competence Proficiency Levels 6
Language Standardization Within the Framework 8
Competency Area Table Format 10
Using the Competency Framework 13
Typical Usage Scenarios 13
Tailoring the Framework 15
The Relationship Between Roles, Job Descriptions, and Competencies 17
SECF Acronyms and Abbreviations 19
SECF Glossary 21
SECF Bibliography 26
SECF Annex A: Summary and Rationale for Changes in the SECF Second Edition 29
Document Structural Changes 29
Primary Technical Changes 29
SECF Annex B: Alignment with Incose and Other Initiatives 31
INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook Fourth Edition 31
INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Certification Program 33
INCOSE Vision 2035 Roles and Competencies 33
INCOSE Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Initiative 35
Atlas Proficiency Model 35
SECF Annex C: Defining Roles Using the Framework 36
Defining Roles - Introduction 36
Considerations When Defining Role Statements 37
Role Statement Structure 37
Assigning Competencies to a Role Statement 38
Role Tailoring and Organization 39
Activity Prioritization and Role Tailoring 40
SECF Annex D: INCOSE Systems Engineering Competency Framework 45
Competency area – Core: Systems Thinking 46
Competency area – Core: Life Cycles 48
Competency area – Core: Capability Engineering 50
Competency area – Core: General Engineering 52
Competency area – Core: Critical Thinking 54
Competency area – Core: Systems Modeling and Analysis 56
Competency area – Professional: Communications 58
Competency area – Professional: Ethics and Professionalism 60
Competency area – Professional: Technical Leadership 62
Competency area – Professional: Negotiation 64
Competency area – Professional: Team Dynamics 66
Competency area – Professional: Facilitation 68
Competency area – Professional: Emotional Intelligence 70
Competency area – Professional: Coaching and Mentoring 72
Competency area – Technical: Requirements Definition 74
Competency area – Technical: System Architecting 76
Competency area – Technical: Design for 78
Competency area – Technical: Integration 80
Competency area – Technical: Interfaces 82
Competency area – Technical: Verification 84
Competency area – Technical: Validation 86
Competency area – Technical: Transition 88
Competency area – Technical: Utilization and Support 90
Competency area – Technical: Retirement 92
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Planning 94
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Monitoring and Control 96
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Risk and Opportunity Management 98
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Decision Management 100
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Concurrent Engineering 102
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Business and Enterprise Integration 104
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Acquisition and Supply 106
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Information Management 108
Competency area – Systems Engineering Management: Configuration Management 110
Competency area – Integrating Competencies: Project Management 112
Competency area – Integrating Competencies: Finance 114
Competency area – Integrating Competencies: Logistics 116
Competency area – Integrating Competencies: Quality 118
SECF Annex E: SECF Comment Form 120
Part II SECAG - Systems Engineering Competency Assessment Guide 121
SECAG Introduction 123
SECAG Scope 123
SECAG Purpose 123
SECAG Context 123
SECAG Objective 124
Link to Competency-Based Certification Within the INCOSE SEP Program 124
SECAG Document Overview 124
Tailoring the Assessment Guide 125
Terminology Tailoring 125
“Lead Practitioner” vs “Lead Role” Assessment 126
“Expert” Practitioner vs “Expert Role” 126
General Guidance For Tailoring Assessment of Proficiency Levels – Accumulated Evidence 126
Evidence Indicator Tailoring 127
Assessment Approach Tailoring 128
Atlas 1.1 Proficiency Assessment 128
Using the Assessment Guide 130
Assessing the Assessors 130
Framework and Assessment Use Case Examples 131
Explanation of Assessment Guide Tables 132
Assessment Guide Language Usage 135
Sub- Indicator Classifications (“K”, “A,” and “P”) 141
Assessing Evidence Sub-Indicator Types (“K”, “A,” and “P”) 141
SECAG Acronyms and Abbreviations 143
SECAG Glossary 146
SECAG Bibliography 150
SECAG Annex A: Systems Engineering Competency Assessment Guide Tables 153
Competency area – Core: Systems Thinking 154
Competency area – Core: Life Cycles 167
Competency area – Core: Capability Engineering 178
Competency area – Core: General Engineering 188
Competency area – Core: Critical Thinking 200
Competency area – Core: Systems Modeling and Analysis 212
Competency area – Professional: Communications 226
Competency area – Professional: Ethics and Professionalism 238
Competency area – Professional: Technical Leadership 253
Competency area – Professional: Negotiation 268
Competency area – Professional: Team Dynamics 280
Competency area – Professional: Facilitation 292
Competency area – Professional: Emotional Intelligence 303
Competency area – Professional: Coaching and Mentoring 312
Competency area – Technical: Requirements Definition 322
Competency area – Technical: Systems Architecting 337
Competency area – Technical: Design for… 352
Competency area – Technical: Integration 366
Competency area – Technical: Interfaces 380
Competency area – Technical: Verification 391
Competency area – Technical: Validation 406
Competency area – Technical: Transition 420
Competency area – Technical: Utilization and Support 430
Competency area – Technical: Retirement 444
Competency area – Management: Planning 454
Competency area – Management: Monitoring and Control 469
Competency area – Management: Risk and Opportunity Management 483
Competency area – Management: Decision Management 496
Competency area – Management: Concurrent Engineering 509
Competency area – Management: Business and Enterprise Integration 520
Competency area – Management: Acquisition and Supply 534
Competency area – Management: Configuration Management 544
Competency area – Management: Information Management 558
Competency area – Integrating: Project Management 573
Competency area – Integrating: Finance 586
Competency area – Integrating: Logistics 598
Competency area – Integrating: Quality 612
SECAG Annex B: Framework Implementation Examples 627
SECAG Annex B1 – Using the SECF/SECAG for Candidate Recruitment and Assessment 627
SECAG Annex B2 – Using the SECF/SECAG for Career and Organizational Development 635
SECAG Annex B3 – Organizational Role Definition 641
SECAG Annex B4 – Using the SECF/SECAG for Educational Course Definition 646
SECAG Annex B5 – Using the SECF/SECAG for “Round Trip” Competency Assessment 652
SECAG Annex B6 –Tailoring a Job Description to Add Systems Engineering Competencies and Skills 665
SECAG Annex B7 – Using the SECF/SECAG for Tailoring a Job Description to Add Model-Based Systems Engineering Competencies and Skills 669
SECAG Annex C: SECAG Comment Form 676
Index 677
About the Author :
Clifford Whitcomb, PhD, is an INCOSE Fellow and Chair of the INCOSE Competency Working Group (CWG). He is also affiliated with the Naval Postgraduate School and Cornell University. He previously published Effective Interpersonal and Team Communication Skills for Engineers (2013) with Wiley.
Lori Zipes is an INCOSE ESEP and Co-Chair of the INCOSE Competency Working Group (CWG). She is also affiliated with the US Navy Naval Sea Systems Command.
Ian Presland is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (FIET), an INCOSE ESEP. He has been affiliated with the INCOSE Competency Working Group (CWG) since its inception.
