Systems engineering in perspective

The systems engineering approach provides an increasingly widespread and pervasive integrative framework for modern systems analysis and management practice. Systems engineering methodology stems primarily from extensive experience in the development and management of highly complex large scale military systems by the Department of Defense. An attempt is made in this paper to present a background on the evolution of the systems engineering process and to synthesize a more complete resolution than is generally available in the literature. Hopefully this understanding will contribute to current and potential applications of systems engineering procedures for technological, social, industrial, and governmental purposes.