Have you ever wondered why ambitious projects, packed with incredible experts, seem to go off the rails? It's clear that top talents from each field were gathered, but the final product feels disjointed. I've had similar experiences, wracking my brain wondering, 'What's the real problem?' It turned out that as important as the performance of individual parts is, the 'holistic view' was missing. This was due to the absence of 'Systems Engineering.' 😊
What is Systems Engineering (SE)? 🤔
In a nutshell, Systems Engineering (SE) can be defined as 'an interdisciplinary field that manages the whole to successfully implement complex systems.' It's not just about focusing on individual components or technologies, but about designing and managing how each element interacts and how the entire system works towards a single goal.
For example, let's think about building a car. The engine expert will try to build the best engine, and the designer will aim for the most stylish exterior. But if you just combine the two, will it be the best car? Probably not. A 'proper' car is born only when everything is considered, such as how the engine's size and weight affect the design, whether the body can withstand the weight, and what the fuel efficiency will be. Systems Engineering takes on this role of 'coordination' and 'integration'.
The core of Systems Engineering is seeing the 'forest,' not just the 'trees.' In other words, it's a process of finding the optimal balance by considering not only the perfection of individual technologies but also the entire lifecycle of the system (planning, development, operation, and disposal).
The Core Process of SE: The V-Model 📈
A representative process model for systems engineering is the 'V-Model.' As its name suggests, it's shaped like the letter V and is very useful for understanding the flow of a project at a glance.
The left side of the V represents the stage of decomposing requirements and designing the system. It moves down from the overall system to subsystems and then to individual components, becoming more detailed. In contrast, the right side of the V is the stage of integrating and verifying each component as you move up. The crucial point is that the left and right sides are horizontally linked at each level, ensuring that the requirements defined in the design phase are properly verified in the testing phase.
| Level | V-Model Left (Decomposition & Definition) | V-Model Right (Integration & Verification) |
|---|---|---|
| Top | User Requirements Analysis | System Acceptance & Validation |
| Middle | System Architecture Design | System Integration & Testing |
| Bottom | Component Detailed Design | Component Integration & Testing |
The reason many projects fail is due to neglecting the left side of the V-model—the initial design phase. An "let's just build it and figure it out as we go" approach can lead to enormous rework costs and time waste later on.
Systems Engineering vs. Project Management 🤝
Many people confuse Systems Engineering (SE) with Project Management (PM). While they are closely related, their focuses are different.
- Project Management (PM): Focuses on 'doing the system right.' The goal is to efficiently complete the project within a set budget, schedule, and resources.
- Systems Engineering (SE): Focuses on 'doing the right system.' The goal is to ensure the system technically works correctly and accurately meets user needs from a technical standpoint.
In other words, if PM is responsible for the 'process' of the project, SE is responsible for its 'technical integrity.' Close collaboration between these two experts is essential for a successful project.
Systems Engineering Key Summary
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Now, do you get a better sense that Systems Engineering is not just a technical term, but a crucial philosophy and methodology for leading projects to success? If you have any more questions, feel free to leave a comment anytime! 😊
This article is a re-reation of the core content of the article I wrote last year using AI. If you are interested in the original article, please refer to the HTML below!