The Development of Systems Engineering

Systems engineering is described as the design of the whole as distinguished from the design of the parts. Systems engineers create the architecture of the system, define the criteria for its evaluation, and perform tradeoff studies for optimization of the subsystem characteristics. In addition to their own brains, the principal tool of systems engineers is the computer. Systems engineering has evolved during a long series of major developments, in particular the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. The major growth of systems engineering is expected to be in the improvement of its tools and in the enlargement of the range of problems to which it is applied.