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Its refreshing to see someone suggesting systems engineering as the solution to managing complex software projects. I have felt, and occasionally advocated, th

Its refreshing to see someone suggesting systems engineering as the solution to managing complex software projects. I have felt, and occasionally advocated, this for years. I'm actually surprised how little systems engineering methodology has penetrated the tech industry. Have CMMI and similar initiatives soured commercial enterprise on the idea? Systems engineering is especially important when software is part of a larger multidiscipline project. All discussions here seem to focus on pure software projects.

pnathan 13y ago
> I'm actually surprised how little systems engineering methodology has penetrated the tech industry. Have CMMI and similar initiatives soured commercial enterprise on the idea? I do not know. IMO, the CMMI-esque approach reeks of paperwork and micromanagement, and Agile approaches reek of lacking of planning. Both seem to be a bit problematic in their own way. At any rate, would you mind providing some references & resources to read over for what you term systems engineering methodology? I am keen to understand other disciplines' approaches for getting engineering work done.
- vonmoltke 13y ago
  I'll start by directing you to the website of the membership society for systems engineers: http://www.incose.org http://www.incose.org Their products and publications section has some publicly-available documents discussing various topics. The Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (http://www.sebokwiki.org/ http://www.sebokwiki.org/) would also be a good place to start. Probably quite a bit of overlap with the INCOSE site, but better organized. OCW has a systems engineering course posted: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/engineering-systems-division/esd-33-systems-engineering-summer-2010/index.htm http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/engineering-systems-division/esd-.... There are some lecture notes available, but unfortunately the materials are a little thin.

pnathan 13y ago

> I'm actually surprised how little systems engineering methodology has penetrated the tech industry. Have CMMI and similar initiatives soured commercial enterprise on the idea? I do not know. IMO, the CMMI-esque approach reeks of paperwork and micromanagement, and Agile approaches reek of lacking of planning. Both seem to be a bit problematic in their own way. At any rate, would you mind providing some references & resources to read over for what you term systems engineering methodology? I am keen to understand other disciplines' approaches for getting engineering work done.

vonmoltke 13y ago
I'll start by directing you to the website of the membership society for systems engineers: http://www.incose.org http://www.incose.org Their products and publications section has some publicly-available documents discussing various topics. The Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (http://www.sebokwiki.org/ http://www.sebokwiki.org/) would also be a good place to start. Probably quite a bit of overlap with the INCOSE site, but better organized. OCW has a systems engineering course posted: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/engineering-systems-division/esd-33-systems-engineering-summer-2010/index.htm http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/engineering-systems-division/esd-.... There are some lecture notes available, but unfortunately the materials are a little thin.