Multiple cooperating views: a new perspective for systems engineering

Describes concepts and approaches for modifying classical system engineering to better handle complex human computer systems. A summary of classical system engineering is given, and its failure to cope with user-based systems issues is revealed. The need for early validation of operational concepts and user requirements is established as the single most important system engineering activity to reduce life-cycle costs substantially. A set of five system engineering perspectives is defined, and a strategy called multiple cooperating views is described for managing the process. A perspective, user engineering, is defined and related to the other perspectives. An example of multiple cooperating views for user and design engineering perspectives is given to demonstrate the process further.<>