Paper: "Systems Engineering"

Abstract

In this 1955 paper written for the Ordnance Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University, Warfield provides a high level overview of systems engineering. At the time, systems engineering was a new field, searching for definition. The paper approaches systems without bias to their nature, and provides planners with generic, basic tools and checklists for designing a system. The report was well received in Navy research circles, as the included letter following the report attests. Warfield referred to this project later in life as one of the first steps on his march towards understanding complexity and systems science.