INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, 5th Edition

APPENDIX E: INPUT/OUTPUT DESCRIPTIONS

Note: This appendix is a alphabetical list of all the typical inputs and outputs that appear in the IPO diagrams in this handbook. Sources of descriptions are as indicated. These typical inputs and outputs represent “a” way that the SE processes can be performed, but not necessarily “the” way that they must be performed. Other related terms and definitions can be found in Appendix B.

Typical Input/Output	Description
Accepted system or system element	System or system element (product or service) accepted by an acquirer from a supplier consistent with the delivery conditions of the supply agreement.
Acquired system or system element	System or system element (product or service) delivered to the acquirer from a supplier consistent with the delivery conditions of the acquisition agreement.
Acquisition agreement	Mutual acknowledgment of terms and conditions under which a working relationship is conducted between an acquirer and a supplier. (Adapted from ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, 2023).
Acquisition need	Identified need that cannot be met within the organization encountering the need or a need that can be met in a more economical way by a supplier.
Acquisition payment	Payments or other compensations for an acquired system.
Acquisition records/artifacts	Permanent, readable form of data, information, or knowledge related to acquisition.
Acquisition report	An account prepared for interested parties in order to communicate the status, ...