Systems Engineering Related Standards Landscape: Difference between revisions

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There are a multitude of standards across a number of Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) that are related to systems engineering and systems domains. This topic examines the types of standards and provides a summary of the relevant standards for systems engineering (SE).  
'''''Lead Authors:''''' ''Garry Roedler''  '''''Contributing Authors:''''' ''Bill Bearden, David Endler, Mike Yokell''
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There are a multitude of standards across a number of standards development organizations (SDOs) that are related to systems engineering and systems domains. This topic examines the types of standards and provides a summary of the relevant standards for systems engineering (SE).  


==Standards Taxonomies and Types of Standards==
==Standards Taxonomies and Types of Standards==
There are many types of standards that focus on different aspects of SE.  Thus, it can be helpful to have a taxonomy that classifies the types of standards and the objective of each type.  Table 1 provides the types of the current standards and a description of the types, as is in development under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7 (McBride 2011).
There are many types of standards that focus on different aspects of SE.  Table 1 provides the types of the current standards and a description of each type.


{|
{|
Line 10: Line 12:
! Description of Type
! Description of Type
|-
|-
| Concepts and terminology
| Concepts and Terminology
|
|
* Defines the terminology and describes the concepts of a specific domain.   
* Defines the terminology and describes the concepts of a specific domain.   
Line 16: Line 18:
| Process
| Process
|
|
* Elaborates a specific process, giving normative requirements for the essential elements of the process. It may give guidance to the requirements.  
* Defines a specific process or set of processes, giving normative requirements for the essential elements of the process or processes.
* It can give guidance to the requirements.
|-
|-
| Requirements
| Requirements
|
|
*Describes the requirements for something.  
* Defines the requirements for something.
*Most often used for actions, activities, or practices and not objects (see specifications).  
* Most often used for actions, activities, or practices and not objects (see specifications).  
|-
|-
| Procedure (Practice, Activity)
| Procedure (Practice, Activity)
|
|
*A specific procedure. Instructions or requirements on how to do something.  
* Defines instructions, approach, or requirements on how to do something.
*Could be a description of best practices.  
* Sometimes a description of best practices.  
*Sometimes guidance and sometimes normative. 
|-
|-
| Guidance
| Application Guides / Guidance
|
|
* Usually an interpretation and guidance of a published standard.
* Defines guidelines or provides interpretation of a published standard.
|-
|-
| Management system
| Management System
|
|
* Requirements for management.
* Defines requirements for management of a specific focus area.
|-
|-
| Specification
| Specification
|
|
*Specifies the form, attributes, or properties of a subject artifact.  
* Defines, describes, or identifies something precisely, including its requirements.
*Usually an object and usually normative. 
* Usually defines requirements, design, and functionality of a product, system, or project and is normative.
|-
|Artifact Description
|
* Defines the form, attributes, content requirements, or properties of an artifact.
|-
|-
| Reference model
| Reference Model
|
|
* A reference model or collection of specifications that comprise a reference model.
* Defines an abstract or conceptual framework that provides a structured means to understand and communicate a system, architecture or element.
* Often used as a mechanism to gain commonality and interoperability.
|-
|-
| Process reference model (PRM)
| Process Reference Model (PRM)
|
|
* A collection of processes necessary and sufficient to achieve a nominated business outcome.
* Defines a collection of processes necessary and sufficient to achieve a nominated business outcome.
|-
|-
| Process assessment model (PAM)
| Process Assessment Model (PAM)
|
|
* Requirements and guidance for assessing attributes of nominated processes or attributes of a nominated collection of processes.  
* Defines requirements and guidance for assessing attributes of nominated processes or attributes of a nominated collection of processes.
|-
|-
| Guide to Body of Knowledge (BOK)
| Guide to Body of Knowledge (BOK)
|
|
* Collects and describes the current body of knowledge in a domain, or guidance to the body of knowledge.
* Defines a collection and description of the current knowledge sources in a domain, or a guide to knowledge sources that comprise the body of knowledge.
|}
|}
Additionally, a taxonomy of the SE related standards can help to understand the available set of standards.  A standards taxonomy is defined as an orderly classification of standards according to their attributes and relationships.  Figure 1 provides an example of a taxonomy for the SE related standards.
[[File:A Taxonomy of SE Related Standards.png|alt=|center|thumb|900x900px|'''Figure 1. A Taxonomy of SE Related Standards (Adapted from Roedler 2023).''' Reprinted with permission of Garry Roedler. All other rights are reserved by the copyright owner.]]
== Description of the SE Standards Categories Presented in the Sample Taxonomy ==
Figure 1 illustrates the focus and level of detail for many of the SE related standards.  This figure shows that there are different purposes or objectives for these knowledge assets.  The following provides a brief description of the objective for each category in the sample taxonomy.  Each of the categories provides specific utility to the SE stakeholders.   
'''Foundation – Vocabulary:''' This provides a common set of terminology and definitions from across a wide range of standards and references for systems engineering.  It includes the vocabulary from ISO/IEC JTC1/SC7, IEEE, INCOSE, and PMI.  The vocabulary is both published in ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765, Vocabulary and in an online resource called SEVOCAB at <nowiki>https://pascal.computer.org/</nowiki>.
'''Foundation – Body of Knowledge:''' This includes resources that are either published as bodies of knowledge for systems engineering or related areas or are recognized consensus references that cover the breadth of systems engineering.  The SEBoK is the sole body of knowledge for SE.  The INCOSE SE Handbook covers the breadth of SE and is the key resource used for SE Certification.
'''Life Cycle Processes and Concepts''': This includes the top-level standards and references that identify and define the system life cycle processes and the concepts that are essential for understanding, planning, and executing system life cycles and processes.  
'''Assessment / Governance:''' This includes standards that are focused on the assessment or governance of processes, products, or other concerns in the engineering of systems or their life cycles.  
'''Process Elaborations:''' This includes standards that focus specifically on one or more processes.  These standards provide lower level details about the definitions, application, and other considerations that aid the planning and execution of the processes.  The processes trace to the system life cycle processes identified in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, the INCOSE SE Handbook, and/or the SEBoK.
'''Application Guides:''' This includes the standards and references that provide key insights and guidance for the other standards and help users to understand the potential considerations for planning and executing the standards.  Some of these standards and guides provide useful elaborations or notes regarding specific information or requirements in the standards or topics they refer to, such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-2, A guide for the application of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.  
'''Artifact Descriptions:''' This includes descriptions and/or requirements for specific artifacts (or information items) related to the system life cycle processes.  
'''Tools:''' This includes standards that provide information or requirements related to tools that are applicable to the system life cycle processes.
'''Other Guidance:''' This includes any guidance that is outside of the scope of the other categories in the taxonomy.


==Systems Engineering Related Standards==
==Systems Engineering Related Standards==
=== Summary of Systems Engineering Related Standards===
=== Summary of Systems Engineering Related Standards===
Table 2 (SEBoK Original) contains a summary of SE related standards. This table does not include all SE related standards, as there are many that are very focused on a specific domain, sector, or user group (e.g., it does not include standards from a specific government agenda). The table does include standards that are considered to be widely applicable systems engineering and systems life cycle management system life cycle processes, such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (2008). Where available, there is a link to the official abstract for the standard.  
Table 2 contains a partial list of SE related standards. This table does not include all SE related standards, as there are many are focused on a specific domain, sector, or user group (e.g., it does not include standards from a specific government agenda). The table does include standards that are considered to be widely applicable to systems engineering and systems life cycle management system life cycle processes, such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (2023).  A link to the official abstract or information page has been provided in the first column for each standard.  


{|
{|
|+'''Table 2. Summary of Systems Engineering Standards.''' (SEBoK Original)
|+'''Table 2. Summary of Systems Engineering Standards and Guides.''' (SEBoK Original)
! Document ID
! Standard or Guide
! Document Title
! Title
! Organization
|-
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/81702.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288]
| System life cycle processes
|-
| [[Main Page|SEBoK]]
| Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK)
|-
| [https://www.incose.org/publications/se-handbook-v5 INCOSE SE Handbook 5th Ed]
| INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook (5th Edition)
|-
| [https://www.sae.org/standards/content/sae1001/ SAE 1001]
| Integrated Project Processes for Engineering a System (replaced ANSI/EIA 632)
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=43564 ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288]
| [https://standards.globalspec.com/std/14514800/aap-48 NATO AAP-48]
| Systems and software engineering - System life cycle processes
| NATO System Life Cycle Processes
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=50518 ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765]
| [https://www.incose.org/publications/se-vision-2035 SE Vision 2035 (INCOSE)]
| Systems and software engineering - Systems and software engineering vocabulary
| Systems Engineering Vision 2035: Engineering Solutions for a Better World
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=45991 ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010]
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/89808.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-1]
| Systems and software engineering - Architecture description
| Systems and software assurance concepts and vocabulary
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=43693 ISO/IEC 26702] / [http://standards.ieee.org/findstds/standard/1220-2005.html IEEE 1220]
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/80625.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-2]
| Management of the Systems Engineering Process
| Assurance case
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=45171 ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148]
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/84444.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-3]
| Systems and software engineering - Requirements engineering
| System integrity levels
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=40723 ISO/IEC/IEEE 16085]
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/74396.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-4]
| Systems and software engineering - Risk management
| Assurance in the life cycle
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=44344 ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939]
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/74909.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 15289]
| Systems and software engineering - Measurement process
| Content of life-cycle information items (documentation)
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| [http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=41977 ISO/IEC/IEEE 16326]
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/71197.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939]
| Systems and software engineering - Project management
| Measurement process
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| EIA 632
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/74371.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 16085]
| Engineering of a System
| Risk management
| TechAmerica
|-
|-
| ISO 9001
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/75276.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 16326]
| Quality Management System
| Project management
| ISO
|-
|-
| EIA 649
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/91120.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 21839]
| National Consensus Standard for Configuration Management
| System of systems (SoS) considerations in life cycle stages of a system
| TechAmerica
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC/IEEE TR 24748-1
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/71956.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 21840]
| Systems and software engineering - Guide to Life Cycle Management
| Guidelines for the utilization of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 in the context of system of systems (SoS)
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC/IEEE TR 24748-2
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/79111.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 21841]
| Systems and software engineering - Guide to the application of ISO/IEC 15288:2008
| Taxonomy of system of systems (SoS)
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC TR 16337
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/79111.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24641]
| Systems Engineering Handbook
|Methods and tools for model-based systems and software engineering
| ISO/IEC/INCOSE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC/IEEE 15289
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/84709.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-1]
| Systems and software engineering - Content of life-cycle information products (documentation)
| Guidelines for life cycle management
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-1
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/84661.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-2]
| Systems and software engineering - System and software assurance – Part 1: Concepts and vocabulary
| Guidelines for the application of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-2
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/56887.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4]
| Systems and software engineering - System and software assurance – Part 2: Assurance case
| Systems engineering management planning
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-3
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/81563.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-6]
| Systems and software engineering - System and software assurance – Part 3: Integrity levels
| System and software integration
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-4
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/90139.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-7]
| Systems and software engineering - System and Software Assurance – Part 4: Assurance in the life cycle
| Application of systems engineering on defense programs (previously IEEE 15288.1)
| ISO/IEC/IEEE
|-
|-
| ISO/IEC 24783
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/91563.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-8]
| Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001 to Systems Life Cycle Processes
| Technical reviews and audits on defense programs (previously IEEE 15288.2)
| ISO/IEC
|-
|-
| ISO 10303-233
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/82474.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-9]
| Systems Engineering Data Interchange Standard
| Application of system and software life cycle processes in epidemic prevention and control systems
| ISO
|-
|-
| ECSS-E-ST-10C
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/90086.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-10]
| Systems Engineering General Requirements
| Guidelines for systems engineering agility
| ECSS
|-
|-
| ECSS-E-ST-10-02
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/71952.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765]
| Space Engineering - Verification
| Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary
| ECSS
|-
|-
| ECSS-E-ST-10-06
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/69529.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 26550]
| Space Engineering - Technical Requirements Specification
| Reference model for product line engineering and management
| ECSS
|-
|-
| ECSS-E-ST-10-24
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/43139.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 26580]
| Space Engineering - Interface Control
| Methods and tools for the feature-based approach to software and systems product line engineering
| ECSS
|-
|-
| ECSS-M-ST-10
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/72089.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148]
| Space project management - Project planning and implementation
| Requirements engineering
| ECSS
|-
|-
| ECSS-M-ST-40
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/74393.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010]
| Space project management - Configuration and information management
| Architecture description
| ECSS
|-
|-
| ECSS-M-00-03
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/68982.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 42020]
| Space project management - Risk management
| Architecture processes
| ECSS
|-
|-
| ISO 31000
| [https://www.iso.org/standard/87510.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 42024]
| Risk Management - Principles and Guidelines
| Architecture fundamentals
| ISO
|-
|-
| ISO 31010
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/73436.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 42030]
| Risk Management - Risk Assessment Techniques
|Architecture evaluation framework
| ISO
|-
|-
| ISO 19439
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/87310.html ISO/IEC/IEEE 42042]
| Enterprise integration - Framework for enterprise modeling
|Reference architectures
| ISO
|-
|-
| ISO 15704
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/82669.html ISO/IEC 29110]
| Requirements for enterprise - reference architectures and methodologies
|Standards and guides for very small entities (VSEs) (Multi-part set)
| ISO
|-
|-
| EIA 748
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/87701.html ISO/IEC TS 33060]
| Earned Value Management System
|Process assessment model for system life cycle processes
| TechAmerica
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/84612.html ISO 19450]
|Object Process Methodology (OPM)
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/62085.html ISO 9001]
|Quality Management Systems - Requirements
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/70400.html ISO 10007]
|Guidelines for configuration management
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/55257.html ISO 10303-233]
|Product data representation and exchange
 
Part 233: Application protocol: Systems engineering
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/71890.html ISO 15704]
|Requirements for Enterprise - Reference Architectures and Methodologies
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/33833.html ISO 19439]
|Framework for Enterprise Modeling
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/65694.html ISO 31000]
|Risk management - Guidelines
|-
|[https://www.iso.org/standard/72140.html IEC 31010]
|Risk assessment techniques
|-
|[https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.105487 ANSI/AIAA G-043B]
|Guide to the Preparation of Operational Concept Documents
|-
|[https://www.sae.org/standards/content/eia649c/ ANSI/EIA-649C (SAE)]
|National Consensus Standard for Configuration Management
|-
|[https://cmmiinstitute.com/cmmi/intro CMMI- Dev V3.0]
|CMMI® for Development V3.0
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-e-st-10c-rev-1-system-engineering-general-requirements-15-february-2017/ ECSS-E-ST-10C]
|Systems Engineering General Requirements
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-e-st-10-02c-rev-1-verification-1-february-2018/ ECSS-E-ST-10-02]
|Space Engineering - Verification
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-e-st-10-06c-technical-requirements-specification/ ECSS-E-ST-10-06]
|Space Engineering - Technical Requirements Specification
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-e-st-10-24c-rev-1-interface-management-15-november-2024/ ECSS-E-ST-10-24]
|Space Engineering - Interface Control
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-m-st-10c-rev-1-project-planning-and-implementation/ ECSS-M-ST-10]
|Space Project Management - Project Planning and Implementation
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-m-st-40c-rev-1-configuration-and-information-management/ ECSS-M-ST-40]
|Space Project Management - Configuration and Information Management
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-m-st-60c-cost-and-schedule-management/ ECSS-M-ST-60]
|Space Project Management – Cost and Schedule Management
|-
|[https://ecss.nl/standard/ecss-m-st-80c-risk-management/ ECSS-M-ST-80]
|Space Project Management - Risk Management
|-
|[http://www.everyspec.com/ESA/ecss-m-00-03a_2569/ ECSS-M-00-03]
|Space Project Management - Risk Management
|-
|[https://www.sae.org/standards/content/eia748d/ EIA 748D (SAE)]
|Earned Value Management System
|-
|CEN EN 9277
|Programme management - Guide for the management of Systems Engineering
|-
|[https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/26367 IEC 62853]
|Open systems dependability
|-
|[https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/828/5367/ IEEE 828]
|Configuration Management in Systems and Software Engineering
|-
|[https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/160/v1/r1/final NIST SP 800-160 Vol 1]
|Systems Security Engineering: Considerations for a Multidisciplinary Approach in the Engineering of Trustworthy Secure Systems
|-
|[https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/160/v2/r1/final NIST SP 800-160 Vol 2]
|Developing Cyber-Resilient Systems: A Systems Security Engineering Approach
|-
|[https://www.omgsysml.org/ OMG SysML TM V2.0]
|OMG Systems Modeling Language
|}
|}
===Breadth and Level of Detail of Key Systems Engineering Related Standards===
Figure 1 shows the level of detail and the coverage of the life cycle for some key standards or groups of standards. 
[[File:Breadth_and_Depth_of_Key_SE_Related_Standards.PNG|thumb|700px|center|'''Figure 1. Breadth and Depth of Key SE Related Standards (Roedler 2011).''' Reprinted with permission of Garry Roedler. All other rights are reserved by the copyright owner.]]


==Practical Considerations==
==Practical Considerations==
Key pitfalls and good practices related to systems engineering standards are described in the next two sections.
Key pitfalls and good practices related to systems engineering standards are described in the next two sections.
===Pitfalls===
===Pitfalls===
Some of the key pitfalls encountered in the selection and use of SE standards are provided in Table 3.  
Some of the key pitfalls encountered in the selection and use of SE standards are provided in Table 3.  
Line 220: Line 310:
* Expecting the standard to fully provide your SE processes without any elaboration or tailoring.   
* Expecting the standard to fully provide your SE processes without any elaboration or tailoring.   
|-
|-
|No Need for Knowledge
|No Need for Product Knowledge
|
|
* Expecting that the standard can be used without any functional or domain knowledge since the standard is the product of collective industry knowledge.  
* Expecting that the standard can be used without any functional or domain knowledge since the standard is the collective industry knowledge.
|-
|-
|No Process Integration
|No Process Integration
|
|
*Lack of integrating the standards requirements with the organization or project processes.   
* Lack of integrating the standards requirements with the organization or project processes.   
|}
|}


===Good Practices===
===Good Practices===
Some good practices as gathered from the references and provided in Table 4.
Some good practices as gathered from the references are provided in Table 4.
{|
{|
|+'''Table 4. Good Practices in Using Systems Engineering Standards.''' (SEBoK Original)
|+'''Table 4. Good Practices in Using Systems Engineering Standards.''' (SEBoK Original)
Line 249: Line 339:
===Works Cited===
===Works Cited===


Roedler, Garry. 2010. "[[An Overview of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, System Life Cycle Processes]]." Asian Pacific Council on Systems Engineering (APCOSE) Conference.
Roedler, G. 2010. "[[An Overview of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, System Life Cycle Processes]]." Proceedings of the 4th Asian Pacific Council on Systems Engineering (APCOSE) Conference, 4-6 October 2010, Keelung, Taiwan.


===Primary References===
Roedler, G. 2023. " SE Standards and Guidance – Revisions and Trends." International Council on Systems Engineering, Boston, MA, USA.


ANSI/EIA. 2003. ''[[ANSI/EIA 632|Processes for Engineering a System]].'' Philadelphia, PA, USA: American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Electronic Industries Association (EIA), [[ANSI/EIA 632]]‐1998.  
Roedler, G. 2011. "Towards Integrated Systems and Software Engineering Standards." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, San Diego, CA, USA.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2008. ''[[ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288|Systems and Software Engineering - System Life Cycle Processes]].'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).  [[ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288]]:2008.
Roedler, G. 2015. "Evolution of SE Standards and Practices – ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 Based Harmonization." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, Springfield, VA, USA.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2009. ''[[ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765|Systems and Software Engineering - System and Software Engineering Vocabulary]].'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).  [[ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765]]:2009.
===Primary References===


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2011. ''[[ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010|Systems and software engineering - Architecture description]].'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), [[ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010]].
INCOSE. 2023. INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook 5th Edition. International Council on Systems Engineering. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons. INCOSE SE Handbook.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2011. ''[[ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148|Systems and software engineering - Requirements engineering]].'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission/ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE),  (IEC), [[ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148]].
ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2023. Systems and Software Engineering -- System Life Cycle Processes. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organisation for Standardisation / International Electrotechnical Commissions / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288: 2023.


Roedler, Garry. 2010. ''[[An Overview of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, System Life Cycle Processes]].'' Asian Pacific Council on Systems Engineering (APCOSE) Conference.
ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2024. "Part 1: Guidelines for life cycle management," in Systems and software engineering--life cycle management.. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-1:2024.


===Additional References===
ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2024. Systems and Software Engineering -- Life Cycle Management – Part 2: Guidelines for the application of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (system life cycle processes). Geneva, Switzerland: International Organisation for Standardisation / International Electrotechnical Commissions / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-2:2024.


ISO. 2003. ''Space Systems - Risk Management.'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 17666:2003.  
ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2017. Systems and Software Engineering -  Vocabulary (SEVocab). Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765:2017.


ISO. 2009. ''Risk Management—Principles and Guidelines.'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 31000:2009.  
NATO. 2022. NATO System Life Cycle Processes.  Brussels, Belgium: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO AAP-48.


ISO/IEC. 2009. ''Risk Management—Risk Assessment Techniques]].'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ISO/IEC 31010:2009.  
SAE. 2018. Integrated Project Processes for Engineering a System. Warrendale, PA, USA: SAE International. SAE 1001.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2006. ''Systems and Software Engineering - Risk Management.'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), ISO/IEC/IEEE 16085.
Roedler, G. 2010. An Overview of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, System Life Cycle Processes. Proceedings of the 4th Asian Pacific Council on Systems Engineering (APCOSE) Conference, 4-6 October 2010, Keelung, Taiwan.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2007. ''Systems and Software Engineering - Measurement Process.'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), [[ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939]].
Roedler, G. 2023. " SE Standards and Guidance – Revisions and Trends." International Council on Systems Engineering, Boston, MA, USA.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2009. ''Systems and Software Engineering - Project Management]].'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 16326.
Roedler, G. 2011. "Towards Integrated Systems and Software Engineering Standards." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, San Diego, CA, USA.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2009. ''Systems and Software Engineering - System and Software Assurance, Part 1: Concepts and definitions.'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-1.
Roedler, G. 2015. "Evolution of SE Standards and Practices – ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 Based Harmonization." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, Springfield, VA, USA.


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2010. ''Systems and Software Engineering - System and Software Assurance, Part 2: Assurance case.'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-2.
===Additional References===


ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2011. ''Systems and Software Engineering - Content of Life-Cycle Information Products (documentation).'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 15289.
None.  
 
ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2011. ''Systems and Software Engineering - System and Software Assurance, Part 3: Integrity Levels.'' Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-3.


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<center>[[Systems Engineering Standards|< Previous Article]] | [[Service Life Extension|Parent Article]] | [[Alignment and Comparison of the Standards|Next Article >]]</center>
<center>[[Systems Engineering Standards|< Previous Article]] | [[Systems Engineering Standards|Parent Article]] | [[Alignment and Comparison of Systems Engineering Standards|Next Article >]]</center>
 
{{DISQUS}}


<center>'''SEBoK v. 2.12, released 27 May 2025'''</center>


[[Category: Part 3]][[Category:Topic]]
[[Category: Part 3]][[Category:Topic]]
[[Category:Systems Engineering Standards]]
[[Category:Systems Engineering Standards]]

Latest revision as of 00:55, 24 May 2025

Lead Authors: Garry Roedler Contributing Authors: Bill Bearden, David Endler, Mike Yokell

There are a multitude of standards across a number of standards development organizations (SDOs) that are related to systems engineering and systems domains. This topic examines the types of standards and provides a summary of the relevant standards for systems engineering (SE).

Standards Taxonomies and Types of Standards

There are many types of standards that focus on different aspects of SE. Table 1 provides the types of the current standards and a description of each type.

Table 1. Types of Systems Engineering Standards. (SEBoK Original)
Standard Type Description of Type
Concepts and Terminology
  • Defines the terminology and describes the concepts of a specific domain.
Process
  • Defines a specific process or set of processes, giving normative requirements for the essential elements of the process or processes.
  • It can give guidance to the requirements.
Requirements
  • Defines the requirements for something.
  • Most often used for actions, activities, or practices and not objects (see specifications).
Procedure (Practice, Activity)
  • Defines instructions, approach, or requirements on how to do something.
  • Sometimes a description of best practices.
Application Guides / Guidance
  • Defines guidelines or provides interpretation of a published standard.
Management System
  • Defines requirements for management of a specific focus area.
Specification
  • Defines, describes, or identifies something precisely, including its requirements.
  • Usually defines requirements, design, and functionality of a product, system, or project and is normative.
Artifact Description
  • Defines the form, attributes, content requirements, or properties of an artifact.
Reference Model
  • Defines an abstract or conceptual framework that provides a structured means to understand and communicate a system, architecture or element.
  • Often used as a mechanism to gain commonality and interoperability.
Process Reference Model (PRM)
  • Defines a collection of processes necessary and sufficient to achieve a nominated business outcome.
Process Assessment Model (PAM)
  • Defines requirements and guidance for assessing attributes of nominated processes or attributes of a nominated collection of processes.
Guide to Body of Knowledge (BOK)
  • Defines a collection and description of the current knowledge sources in a domain, or a guide to knowledge sources that comprise the body of knowledge.


Additionally, a taxonomy of the SE related standards can help to understand the available set of standards.  A standards taxonomy is defined as an orderly classification of standards according to their attributes and relationships.  Figure 1 provides an example of a taxonomy for the SE related standards.

Figure 1. A Taxonomy of SE Related Standards (Adapted from Roedler 2023). Reprinted with permission of Garry Roedler. All other rights are reserved by the copyright owner.

Description of the SE Standards Categories Presented in the Sample Taxonomy

Figure 1 illustrates the focus and level of detail for many of the SE related standards.  This figure shows that there are different purposes or objectives for these knowledge assets.  The following provides a brief description of the objective for each category in the sample taxonomy.  Each of the categories provides specific utility to the SE stakeholders.   

Foundation – Vocabulary: This provides a common set of terminology and definitions from across a wide range of standards and references for systems engineering.  It includes the vocabulary from ISO/IEC JTC1/SC7, IEEE, INCOSE, and PMI.  The vocabulary is both published in ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765, Vocabulary and in an online resource called SEVOCAB at https://pascal.computer.org/.

Foundation – Body of Knowledge: This includes resources that are either published as bodies of knowledge for systems engineering or related areas or are recognized consensus references that cover the breadth of systems engineering.  The SEBoK is the sole body of knowledge for SE.  The INCOSE SE Handbook covers the breadth of SE and is the key resource used for SE Certification.

Life Cycle Processes and Concepts: This includes the top-level standards and references that identify and define the system life cycle processes and the concepts that are essential for understanding, planning, and executing system life cycles and processes.  

Assessment / Governance: This includes standards that are focused on the assessment or governance of processes, products, or other concerns in the engineering of systems or their life cycles.  

Process Elaborations: This includes standards that focus specifically on one or more processes.  These standards provide lower level details about the definitions, application, and other considerations that aid the planning and execution of the processes.  The processes trace to the system life cycle processes identified in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, the INCOSE SE Handbook, and/or the SEBoK.

Application Guides: This includes the standards and references that provide key insights and guidance for the other standards and help users to understand the potential considerations for planning and executing the standards.  Some of these standards and guides provide useful elaborations or notes regarding specific information or requirements in the standards or topics they refer to, such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-2, A guide for the application of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.  

Artifact Descriptions: This includes descriptions and/or requirements for specific artifacts (or information items) related to the system life cycle processes.  

Tools: This includes standards that provide information or requirements related to tools that are applicable to the system life cycle processes.

Other Guidance: This includes any guidance that is outside of the scope of the other categories in the taxonomy.

Systems Engineering Related Standards

Summary of Systems Engineering Related Standards

Table 2 contains a partial list of SE related standards. This table does not include all SE related standards, as there are many are focused on a specific domain, sector, or user group (e.g., it does not include standards from a specific government agenda). The table does include standards that are considered to be widely applicable to systems engineering and systems life cycle management system life cycle processes, such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (2023).  A link to the official abstract or information page has been provided in the first column for each standard.

Table 2. Summary of Systems Engineering Standards and Guides. (SEBoK Original)
Standard or Guide Title
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 System life cycle processes
SEBoK Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK)
INCOSE SE Handbook 5th Ed INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook (5th Edition)
SAE 1001 Integrated Project Processes for Engineering a System (replaced ANSI/EIA 632)
NATO AAP-48 NATO System Life Cycle Processes
SE Vision 2035 (INCOSE) Systems Engineering Vision 2035: Engineering Solutions for a Better World
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-1 Systems and software assurance concepts and vocabulary
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-2 Assurance case
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-3 System integrity levels
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-4 Assurance in the life cycle
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15289 Content of life-cycle information items (documentation)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939 Measurement process
ISO/IEC/IEEE 16085 Risk management
ISO/IEC/IEEE 16326 Project management
ISO/IEC/IEEE 21839 System of systems (SoS) considerations in life cycle stages of a system
ISO/IEC/IEEE 21840 Guidelines for the utilization of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 in the context of system of systems (SoS)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 21841 Taxonomy of system of systems (SoS)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24641 Methods and tools for model-based systems and software engineering
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-1 Guidelines for life cycle management
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-2 Guidelines for the application of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4 Systems engineering management planning
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-6 System and software integration
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-7 Application of systems engineering on defense programs (previously IEEE 15288.1)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-8 Technical reviews and audits on defense programs (previously IEEE 15288.2)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-9 Application of system and software life cycle processes in epidemic prevention and control systems
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-10 Guidelines for systems engineering agility
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765 Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary
ISO/IEC/IEEE 26550 Reference model for product line engineering and management
ISO/IEC/IEEE 26580 Methods and tools for the feature-based approach to software and systems product line engineering
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148 Requirements engineering
ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 Architecture description
ISO/IEC/IEEE 42020 Architecture processes
ISO/IEC/IEEE 42024 Architecture fundamentals
ISO/IEC/IEEE 42030 Architecture evaluation framework
ISO/IEC/IEEE 42042 Reference architectures
ISO/IEC 29110 Standards and guides for very small entities (VSEs) (Multi-part set)
ISO/IEC TS 33060 Process assessment model for system life cycle processes
ISO 19450 Object Process Methodology (OPM)
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems - Requirements
ISO 10007 Guidelines for configuration management
ISO 10303-233 Product data representation and exchange

Part 233: Application protocol: Systems engineering

ISO 15704 Requirements for Enterprise - Reference Architectures and Methodologies
ISO 19439 Framework for Enterprise Modeling
ISO 31000 Risk management - Guidelines
IEC 31010 Risk assessment techniques
ANSI/AIAA G-043B Guide to the Preparation of Operational Concept Documents
ANSI/EIA-649C (SAE) National Consensus Standard for Configuration Management
CMMI- Dev V3.0 CMMI® for Development V3.0
ECSS-E-ST-10C Systems Engineering General Requirements
ECSS-E-ST-10-02 Space Engineering - Verification
ECSS-E-ST-10-06 Space Engineering - Technical Requirements Specification
ECSS-E-ST-10-24 Space Engineering - Interface Control
ECSS-M-ST-10 Space Project Management - Project Planning and Implementation
ECSS-M-ST-40 Space Project Management - Configuration and Information Management
ECSS-M-ST-60 Space Project Management – Cost and Schedule Management
ECSS-M-ST-80 Space Project Management - Risk Management
ECSS-M-00-03 Space Project Management - Risk Management
EIA 748D (SAE) Earned Value Management System
CEN EN 9277 Programme management - Guide for the management of Systems Engineering
IEC 62853 Open systems dependability
IEEE 828 Configuration Management in Systems and Software Engineering
NIST SP 800-160 Vol 1 Systems Security Engineering: Considerations for a Multidisciplinary Approach in the Engineering of Trustworthy Secure Systems
NIST SP 800-160 Vol 2 Developing Cyber-Resilient Systems: A Systems Security Engineering Approach
OMG SysML TM V2.0 OMG Systems Modeling Language

Practical Considerations

Key pitfalls and good practices related to systems engineering standards are described in the next two sections.

Pitfalls

Some of the key pitfalls encountered in the selection and use of SE standards are provided in Table 3.

Table 3. Pitfalls in Using Systems Engineering Standards. (SEBoK Original)
Pitfall Name Pitfall Description
Turnkey Process Provision
  • Expecting the standard to fully provide your SE processes without any elaboration or tailoring.
No Need for Product Knowledge
  • Expecting that the standard can be used without any functional or domain knowledge since the standard is the collective industry knowledge.
No Process Integration
  • Lack of integrating the standards requirements with the organization or project processes.

Good Practices

Some good practices as gathered from the references are provided in Table 4.

Table 4. Good Practices in Using Systems Engineering Standards. (SEBoK Original)
Good Practice Name Good Practice Description
Tailor for Business Needs
  • Tailor the standard within conformance requirements to best meet business needs.
Integration into Project
  • Requirements of the standard should be integrated into the project via processes or product/service requirements.

References

Works Cited

Roedler, G. 2010. "An Overview of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, System Life Cycle Processes." Proceedings of the 4th Asian Pacific Council on Systems Engineering (APCOSE) Conference, 4-6 October 2010, Keelung, Taiwan.

Roedler, G. 2023. " SE Standards and Guidance – Revisions and Trends." International Council on Systems Engineering, Boston, MA, USA.

Roedler, G. 2011. "Towards Integrated Systems and Software Engineering Standards." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, San Diego, CA, USA.

Roedler, G. 2015. "Evolution of SE Standards and Practices – ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 Based Harmonization." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, Springfield, VA, USA.

Primary References

INCOSE. 2023. INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook 5th Edition. International Council on Systems Engineering. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons. INCOSE SE Handbook.

ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2023. Systems and Software Engineering -- System Life Cycle Processes. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organisation for Standardisation / International Electrotechnical Commissions / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288: 2023.

ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2024. "Part 1: Guidelines for life cycle management," in Systems and software engineering--life cycle management.. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-1:2024.

ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2024. Systems and Software Engineering -- Life Cycle Management – Part 2: Guidelines for the application of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (system life cycle processes). Geneva, Switzerland: International Organisation for Standardisation / International Electrotechnical Commissions / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-2:2024.

ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2017. Systems and Software Engineering -  Vocabulary (SEVocab). Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765:2017.

NATO. 2022. NATO System Life Cycle Processes.  Brussels, Belgium: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO AAP-48.

SAE. 2018. Integrated Project Processes for Engineering a System. Warrendale, PA, USA: SAE International. SAE 1001.

Roedler, G. 2010. An Overview of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, System Life Cycle Processes. Proceedings of the 4th Asian Pacific Council on Systems Engineering (APCOSE) Conference, 4-6 October 2010, Keelung, Taiwan.

Roedler, G. 2023. " SE Standards and Guidance – Revisions and Trends." International Council on Systems Engineering, Boston, MA, USA.

Roedler, G. 2011. "Towards Integrated Systems and Software Engineering Standards." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, San Diego, CA, USA.

Roedler, G. 2015. "Evolution of SE Standards and Practices – ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 Based Harmonization." National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Conference, Springfield, VA, USA.

Additional References

None.

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