Abstract :
The paper discusses some of the advantages that systems engineering can bring to a project and an organisation. It also describes some of the pitfalls that can beset a systems engineering initiative if care is not taken. The need for vision about the introduction of systems engineering is shown in the paper along with the consequences of not having such a vision. The paper presents the benefits of ensuring that visualisation forms a key aspect of the systems engineering activities. Finally, conclusions are drawn showing how visualisation is key to delivering the promised benefits of the introduction of systems engineering and how an overall vision ensures that many of the pitfalls do not materialise. The paper is based on the author´s experience of introducing systems engineering into large railway projects