ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the fundamentals of systems engineering as a practical implementation of the systems approach and systems thinking into the field of technical applications. A proposal for a hierarchical structure of concepts in the field of systems engineering is suggested and based on this, the author's definition of General Systems Engineering is developed. The main part of the chapter is devoted to the life-cycle model of the system engineering process. The model is based on an iterative improvement process with built-in feedback and consists of 13 steps. These steps cover the entire lifecycle of the system, from the definition of its basic objectives, through the analysis of feasibility, requirements and functionality, the synthesis and integration of the different parts of the system, to its disposal. In the section a new classification of maintenance policies according to seven main criteria and numerous examples of quantity requirements for selected Technical Performance Measures is proposed. It has been shown that only the holistic and process-oriented approach to systems engineering can ensure all essential requirements, namely functional as well as cost and environmental.
