Our world is overflowing with technology that constantly advances in complexity and interconnections. Global Positioning System (GPS), financial markets, mobile internet, air traffic control, social networking, credit/debit cards, and anti-lock brakes are only a few functions enabled by complex systems of systems. We depend on these systems with little or no conscious concern about their correct behavior. More important, the problems we face on a global scale will require the understanding of systems and solutions that are possibly more complex than we have ever imagined. Systems engineering is a multi-disciplinary practice that uses a holistic, systems approach to make sense of and manage the complexity of problems and solutions. Systems Engineering ensures that systems under development meet the needs of the stakeholders and that associated risks do not outweigh their benefits.

This publication acknowledges the original research conducted by the SERC research team and the contributions by the SERC sponsors, as well as the many faculty, students, and mentors who participated. From the Naval Postgraduate School: Dave Olwell, Clifford Whitcomb, Diana Angelis, Gary Langford, Gregory Miller, Ali Rodgers, Mark Stevens.

This publication is based on research conducted by the SERC on Systems Engineering capstone courses. More details are available in the complete final report on this research, available at www.SERCuarc.org.

Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC)