Managing and Engineering Complex Technological Systems

Chapter 3.5

Systems Engineering in the World of Training and Consulting

3.5.1 “Combining Engineering and Management Skills”

An Interview with Dr. Eric Honour

Systems engineering is a new discipline, created by the need for it, which originated in the field. As part of its evolution process, it is gradually establishing itself as a profession and an area of academic research and study. We talked with an experienced systems engineer, who has lived through this field's evolution alongside that of his own professional career, which included field work as well as teaching and research over the years.

Background

After graduating high school, Eric Honour joined the US Naval Academy, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in systems engineering.

Eric Honour: “Back then, during the 1960s, we had no courses in systems engineering processes, like they do today. Systems engineering was mostly about control system theory. Our studies focused on system analysis, a combination of mechanical and electronic systems. The software field was making its first steps at the time, and computer studies were included in the systems engineering curriculum. We did a lot of experiments and mathematical calculations. We received a combination of officers' and system analyzers' training.”

He was discharged from the military 9 years later, in 1978, having served as a pilot in the navy for a large part of those years. During the last years of his service, he served as an instructor on engineering fields, ...