THE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS AS A NEURAL NETWORK AND ITS IMPACT ON INTEGRATED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Various models have been proposed for the systems engineering process. Each one serves a particular purpose, yet none are accepted as definitive. The goal of a definitive yet simple model of the types proposed to date may be intrinsically unachievable. A neural network of interactive parts is proposed as a more accurate description of the process. This view explains the difficulty in developing a perfect and simple process model. Perhaps more importantly, it impacts the implementation of the process, particularly in an Integrated Product Development environment.