Prospects for systems engineering process dynamics

This paper discusses the motivation to develop systems engineering process simulators and the opportunity to leverage lessons learned from software engineering and project management simulator research. Simulators can help educate individuals about the complex system dynamics related to systems engineering projects. Systems engineering process simulators can also be used as a foundation for further research to explore risks and issues related to systems engineering. The paper discusses considerations in developing a system dynamics simulator for systems engineering. A causal model and a system dynamics model segment related to requirements volatility, an important project risk, are shown to illustrate current research.