Systems Engineering for Projects: Achieving Positive Outcomes in a Complex World (Best Practices in Portfolio, Program, and Project Management)

Systems engineering has been applied to some of the most important projects of our time, including those that have helped humanity explore the world and the universe, expand our technical abilities, and enhance the quality of human life. Without formal training in systems engineering, the discipline is often difficult to understand and apply, and its use within projects is often confusing. Systems Engineering for Projects: Achieving Positive Outcomes in a Complex World provides an approach that utilizes a combination of the most effective processes from both project management and systems engineering disciplines in a simplified and straightforward manner. The processes described in the book are lightweight, flexible, and tailorable. They provide the shortest path to success in projects across the entire project life cycle, from research to operations, and from simple to the most complex. The book also addresses how this methodology can be used in a continually adapting and changing world, as projects span disciplines and become even more interconnected across all areas of human existence. Each chapter includes diagrams, templates, summary lists, a case study, and a thought-provoking question and answer section that assists readers in immediate application of the material to their own projects. The book is a project manager’s resource for understanding how to directly apply essential processes to projects in a way that increases the probability of achieving success. It is a comprehensive, go-to manual on the application of systems engineering processes to projects of all types and complexity. "This book is a comprehensive, go-to manual on the application of systems engineering processes to projects of all types and complexity. It is based on systems engineering concepts found within the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Systems Engineering Handbook 4th Edition, and the International Systems Engineering Standard ISO/IEC 15288, which it is based upon. The overarching summaries, thorough description of systems engineering processes, broad case studies, key point summaries, and 'apply now' sections provide a solid basis for understanding how to apply these processes to projects of all types to obtain positive outcomes"-- Provided by publisher Uses a systems engineering structure to facilitate and enable simple to complex projects to achieve successful outcomes. Case studies and best practices demonstrate real-life examples of the systems engineering theory A comprehensive look at the systems engineering concepts found within the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Systems Engineering Handbook 4th Edition, and the International Systems Engineering Standard ISO/IEC 15288 Reduce the risks associated with managing complex projects Communicate the value of systems engineering to executive management Series Page 4 Title Page 6 Copyright 7 Dedication 8 Contents 10 List of Illustrations and Tables 18 Preface 20 Acknowledgments 22 About the Author 24 1 The Discipline of Systems Engineering 26 2 Systems Engineering as a Project Enabler 52 3 Application of Complementary Processes 88 4 Application of Unique Processes 130 5 Success Measurements 160 6 Tailoring 200 7 Methodology Synthesis and Application 232 8 The Future of Systems Engineering 268 Acronyms 298 Glossary 300 Bibliography 308 Index 314