Five Perspectives on Transdisciplinary Systems Engineering

Abstract

This article offers insights from five INCOSE Fellows on the evolution and significance of transdisciplinarity in systems engineering. Michael Pennotti reviews the origins of systems engineering, emphasizing its inherent transdisciplinary nature and the need for continuous evolution. Azad Madni considers transdisciplinarity as systems engineering's true calling, crucial for the 21st century, and highlights his TRASEE™ education paradigm that underpins the Systems Architecting and Engineering program that he directs at the University of Southern California as pivotal for systems engineering's advancement. Hillary Sillitto sees the climate crisis as systems engineering's most critical and complex challenge, asserting transdisciplinarity's crucial role in addressing it. David Rousseau examines the cultural and scientific underpinnings of transdisciplinarity, presenting systems engineering as a prime example. Peter Brook envisions the joint evolution of systems sciences and systems engineering to confront future challenges, advocating for transdisciplinarity as an essential role in systems engineering leadership for addressing global challenges.