Systems Science — an oxymoron?

Systems Science — an oxymoron?

How is Systems Science an oxymoron? It may come from the fact that studying Systems requires a holistic perspective whereas the fundamental concept of Science is looking at things in a reductionist manner. So how do you reconcile these two fundamentally different approaches into one discipline?  Maybe the key is looking and seeing “systems’ everywhere.

The Science of Systems Engineering

The Science of Systems Engineering

Where is the Science for Systems Engineering? Every engineering discipline has its science — Electrical Engineering has its Ohm's law — Mechanical Engineering has all of Newtonian Physics — Civil  Engineering has Material Science — Chemical Engineering  has its periodic table of elements — and so on and so forth. But what about Systems Engineering? Where is our science?

A fun time at the SEP Gala in Baltimore

A fun time at the SEP Gala in Baltimore

Every year the INCOSE Chesapeake Chapter holds a Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Gala to celebrate local INCOSE members who have gotten the INCOSE SEP Certification (ASEP, CSEP & ESEP). This is my report for the 2016 version. It’s fun to be in the company of friends, peers and colleagues of your chosen profession.

Failure and the Importance of Lessons Learned

Failure and the Importance of Lessons Learned

As a society we tend to stigmatize and ostracize failure. But why? It is an essential step to success! We are so focused on winning that we forget the process includes failures as well. It is one of the most important lessons from our “Lessons Learned.”

Modeling and the Systems Engineer

Modeling and the Systems Engineer

On July 27, 2015, I gave a Keynote Address to the Summer Simulation Multi-Conference for the Society for Modeling & Simulation International (SCS). I talked about micro-verse, the Incredible Hulk, the history everyday reality, Internet of Things, the Science of (or lack there-of) Systems Engineering, the concept of Emergence, and M&S. It ended with a big heartfelt thank-you to all the modelers present.

Here are my slides and references for those who want more detail on my lecture. Enjoy.