Systems Engineering Demystified - Second Edition

1

Introduction to Systems Engineering

This chapter focuses on the background of Systems Engineering, considering the history of the subject and why it is needed. This chapter will also provide an understanding of the main concepts associated with Systems Engineering and the terminology that will be adopted throughout this book, thus aiding our understanding of the topic as we progress. To do this, we will look at the following topics:

• A brief history of Systems Engineering
• Defining systems engineering
• The need for systems engineering

A brief history of Systems Engineering

It may be argued that Systems Engineering has been employed ever since mankind started building and developing complex systems. It could also be said that the pyramids in ...