7.18. Systems Engineering for Software and Hardware Systems: Point‐Counterpoint
Sarah A. Sheard · INCOSE International Symposium · 1998
Abstract Why has a problem between “systems engineers” and “software engineers” been documented every year of INCOSE's existence? Is it because there is a difference between systems engineering of hardware‐intensive and systems engineering of software‐intensive systems, and this difference is not understood or respected? This paper presents several of the issues involved and presents opposing factors for consideration by those who will have to face them, such as hardware systems engineers addressing systems with more and more software components. The author posted fourteen assertions, based on personal experience, to the INCOSE discussion list server. Twenty responses were received, providing views, examples, and additional information. Respondents agreed on a number of differences between the systems engineering currently performed on software systems and that on hardware systems. Those differences are thought to be decreasing as software evolves as a field. Recommendations are made for changes that may improve both dialogue and system development. Open questions generated by the discussions are suggested in the hopes that research efforts may address questions of importance to the improvement of the engineering of systems.