Policy statement on systems engineering research

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) represents systems engineering experts from industry, government and academia. It recognizes the diversity of types of systems engineering practiced around the world and the diversity of approaches to educating and training systems engineers.

INCOSE is also a scientific society and as such is concerned with the education and training of the professionals it represents and the research conducted in the field.

For this reason, INCOSE has formulated two policy statements that express its position on systems engineering education and systems engineering research.

INCOSE advocates the formulation of research programs in basic and applied research in systems engineering and is committed to supporting the formulation of such programs through workshops, conferences and publications. INCOSE acts as a catalyst in the formation of an international collaborative R&D community.

Systems Engineering is a transdisciplinary and integrative discipline that, like other engineering disciplines, requires dynamic research. This includes

• Expanding the body of knowledge of the discipline on which professional practice in systems engineering is based

• Integrating technological advances in traditional engineering disciplines that impact systems engineering

  The terms “engineering” and "engineered’ are used in their broadest sense, as “the artful way of doing something”. "Engineered systems can consist of any combination of people, products, services, information, processes and natural elements.