ARS | Publication request: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING OF AN INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 3, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Systems Engineering is a problem solving approach that involves the technical design and management of the development of complex systems. Giving direction to a USDA-ARS research program at a laboratory remote from a University setting involves the simultaneous management of several complex systems including personnel, research, budget, physical plant and general public relations. The same may apply (on a much smaller scale) to individual scientists within that Laboratory. However, the traditional research paradigm does not encourage individual scientists to operate in a Systems Engineering environment. This paper discusses the challenges and solutions experienced in actually introducing and implementing Systems Engineering principles.