Enterprise Systems Engineering Theory and Practice

This report introduces and discusses new and emerging modes of thought that are increasingly being recognized as essential to successful systems engineering in enterprises. This new systems thinking is emerging at the intersection of seminal ideas from modern system thinkers, the broad discipline of information technology, and the theory of complex adaptive systems, particularly those from evolutionary biology and social systems. Part of this new systems thinking requires a replacement of the notion that specific engineering outcomes or goals can always be assured with one that seeks to shape, improve, or increase the value of engineering outcomes through thoughtful interventions in the ever-increasing numbers of circumstances in which we are not fully in control. This report is one of a preliminary series of nine volumes that define and examine key building blocks of the evolving field of enterprise systems engineering: Volume 1: Enterprise Characteristics and Challenges Volume 2: Systems Thinking (New and Emerging Perspectives) Volume 3: Enterprise Architecture (Application Across the ESE Spectrum) Volume 4: Enterprise Management (Processes to Bridge Theory and Practice) Volume 5: Enterprise Opportunity and Risk Volume 6: Enterprise Activities (Evolving Toward an Enterprise) Volume 7: Enterprise Analysis and Assessment Volume 8: Capabilities-Based Planning Analysis Volume 9: Enterprise Research and Development (Agile Functionality for Decision Superiority) The volumes are intended as guidance for researchers and practitioners who are expanding their horizons from traditional to enterprise systems engineering. The volumes range from the complex characteristics and behaviors of enterprises to the challenges they pose for engineering and technology. They examine the impacts of enterprise processes and leading-edge technologies on the evolution of an enterprise. No attempt has been made to tightly integrate these documents some material is repeated, some approaches may be slightly different. They were produced under a D400 effort to "Write the Book" on enterprise systems engineering, and at this juncture, they are being published as various works in progress loosely coupled and evolving.