1.3.3 Potholes in the Road to Good Systems Engineering

Over several decades of observing the practice of systems engineering, both in classrooms and on programs, several recurring problems have been identified. It was anticipated that lessons would be learned, and this set of problems would decrease significantly in occurrence, if not disappear completely. However, that has not happened. It seems that many of the problems are rooted in basic mental roadblocks. This compendium is assembled as a watchlist of some of these roadblocks for new and old practitioners.