Abstract :
Recognising the resurgence of interest and activity in systems engineering, the IEE´s professional Group M5, Systems Engineering, set up a working party to develop a code or guide, now known as the Draft Guide to the Practice of Systems Engineering. The purpose of the Guide is to spread an understanding of systems engineering so that organisations may use the Guide for self-audit, improve their approach to creating systems and hence improve business performance. Additionally, the guide is intended for educational establishments, so that they may be aware of the extent and nature of the subject, and may include the concepts and practices in their curricula at undergraduate and, particularly, postgraduate levels. The author introduces the Guide, explains some of its features and presents some of the ideas and explanatory diagrams