Systems: Philosophical and Intellectual Viewpoints

This is the start of what I hope will be an active dialog on systems engineering, engineering education, professional organizations and trends in the very broad world of systems. I post from several 'identities', or viewpoints:

• I am the current President (and a 15-year member) of the International Council on Systems Engineering--this is an organization with a rich systems culture, composed of about 7,000 members in 26 countries, and INCOSE provides a window into the evolving systems engineering world and the latest methods and practices.
  
  
• Senior Lecturer, MIT Engineering Systems Division--MIT ESD is an academic community engaged in systems research in a context of broader intellectual boundaries, combining engineering, the social sciences and management science to tackle some of the biggest challenges in our society--it is an exciting and stimulating place to explore the future of systems and systems methodologies.
  
  
• Director, Systems Design and Management program at MIT, a career compatible master's program offered jointly by the MIT School of Engineering ang the Sloan School of Management. Our average student is in their 30s, with 8-10+ years of experience, and it is a privilege to teach and provide a temporary home for bright, mid-career professionals as they soak in the intellectual soup of MIT.

These viewpoints and experiences stimulate a broad range of interests, ideas and musings about the future of systems and the methods and processes used to understand and interact with them in all their forms.

Join me and become an active voice in the systems conversation!