Engineering systems in the 21/sup st/ century: facing the challenge

Results from a workshop series sponsored by the U.S. Navy for promoting wise technology investments in the engineering and management of complex systems in the 21/sup st/ century is described. Characteristics of complex systems and systems engineering practices are reviewed. Projected trends, research needs and recommended investment strategies for engineering complex systems are discussed. Current investments by the Office of Naval Research in the Engineering of Complex systems technology program are reviewed in the context of potential to impact the state of practice in engineering large-scale systems.