Integrated Systems Engineering: The Challenging Cross-Discipline

Abstract Integrated systems engineering is concerned with the systematic development of large-scale systems by means of using integrative knowledge across several disciplines. The specific knowledge of a certain application domain with its systems structures and functionalities has to be complemented with knowledge about different information technologies, human factors issues, environmental constraints and societal contexts. All these facets and components as well as their relationships to each other are briefly reviewed in this paper. Industrial systems, transportation systems, enterprise information systems, natural resources systems, and the supplementary ways for improving societal stability are the application domains mentioned here. Also, the paper refers to the different systems engineering activities of IFAC. Several systems engineering methodologies as well as integrated systems development and evaluation approaches are outlined. The paper emphasises the challenge and the need for better integrative design and development strategies for future systems. It is also an introductory paper to the broad theme of this Conference on Integrated Systems Engineering.