Advances in the Prospects for Realizing a Scientific General Theory Underpinning Systems Engineering

The theoretical foundations of Systems Engineering (SE) must be strengthened and more effectively connected to SE practice, to ensure that SE maintains its effectiveness and value into the future. A particular need in this area is the development of a foundational scientific general theory of systems (GST*) that can unify and improve Systems Science as a natural foundation for SE, and to support SE's ability to appropriately and scientifically shift emphasis between reductionism and holism under different contexts. In this paper I review recent advances and initiatives to develop a GST*, and discuss how these support efforts could improve the capability of SE.