Version 2.

0 (Approved) INCOSE Sys Eng Handbook

July 2000

2.2 WHAT IS A SYSTEM?

A system can be broadly defined as an integrated set of elements that accomplish a defined objective.
People from different engineering disciplines have different perspectives of what a "system" is. For
example, software engineers often refer to an integrated set of computer programs as a "system."
Electrical engineers might refer to complex integrated circuits or an integrated set of electrical units as
a "system." As can be seen, "system" depends on one’s perspective, and the “integrated set of elements
that accomplish a defined objective” is an appropriate definition.

Some examples of large-scale systems from a Systems Engineer's perspective are:

1. The U.S. Navy's Trident weapon system, which is comprised of nuclear-powered submarines, their
defensive subsystems, their strategic missiles with nuclear warheads, and their ship- and shore-based
support systems (submarine tenders, bases and maintenance facilities, crews, training facilities and
personnel, administration, missile and weapon storage facilities, warehouses, factories, range facilities,
and personnel).

2. NASA's Apollo lunar landing system, comprised of the launch vehicles, various upper stage
modules to accomplish lunar orbit rendezvous, descent and return from the lunar surface, earth return,
reentry, and recovery. The system also includes mission and support crews, missile assembly and
checkout equipment, crew training and many support organizations and their facilities (which might be
shared with other systems), such as downrange tracking and communications relay stations, and
mission control.

It should be self-evident that on large systems, such as the above, methodologies and techniques would
need to be used to help all the elements and subsystems work closely together. Flawless performance
was required of both systems. So the projects evolved a Systems Engineering and management
philosophy that maximized their chances of success. But what about smaller systems? Can they profit
from the use of the same methodologies and techniques? First, some examples of smaller systems:

3. A computer system network, including multiple servers, terminals, printers, network links, software,
users, and support systems, including maintenance and repair, training, and spare parts. All these
elements are essential for the computer network system to function.

4. A typical 35 mm camera system, consisting of interchangeable lenses and filters, the lens focusing
mechanism, camera body, view finder/range finder, flash subsystem, film advance/rewind, electrical
subsystem and power source(s), light meter with shutter/exposure controls, carrying case, film, and
support elements, including photographic paper, film processing materials and equipment, repair and
parts suppliers.

Even on smaller systems, such as the last two examples, Systems Engineering techniques will prove
useful in rapidly developing and deploying low cost, reliable, high performance, maintainable systems
which meet user (customer) needs.

It is sometimes confusing as to which elements comprise a system. This depends entirely upon the
focus of the one defining the objective or function of the system. For example, if one's objective is to
print out some input data, a printer (and its supporting elements) could be defined as "the system."
Expanding the objective to processing input data and displaying the results yields a computer system
as the system. Expanding the objective further to a capability for computing nationwide or worldwide,

International Council on Systems Engineering

SE Handbook Working Group
Version 2.0 (Approved) INCOSE Sys Eng Handbook
July 2000

and merging data/results into a common database results in a computing network as the system with
the computer and printer(s) as elements of the system.

Aircraft, automobiles, and homes are other examples of systems at one level, which can be considered
elements or subsystems at another level. They may be key elements of weapons, transportation
systems, or shelter systems. This recognizes their critical dependence on other support elements such
as fuel, electric power, personnel, maintenance and repair, and communications to accomplish their
defined functions.

International Council on Systems Engineering

SE Handbook Working Group