Industrial and Systems Engineering Research

- Overview

Industrial and systems engineering (ISE) is a field that applies engineering, science, and mathematics to design, improve, and operate systems that deliver products and services. 

ISEs use analytics and critical thinking to optimize systems, processes, and organizations. They work to improve quality and productivity, and eliminate waste. ISEs work in many sectors, including: Energy, Finance, Healthcare, Logistics, Manufacturing
Production, Telecommunication, Transportation, etc. 

ISE is called the "Business School of Engineering". ISE is people-centric, merging technical skills, scientific knowledge, and strategic thinking. ISEs are trained to understand the connections within complex systems, and to make impactful decisions. 

Please refer to the following for more information:

- Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering involves solving problems arising in systems management through the application of engineering science, product and process design, job analysis, human factors principles, and operations research principles.

Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering management concerned with how to make or do things better, crossing a range of disciplines associated with manufacturing industrial or consumer products. This may involve increasing efficiency, reducing production costs, improving quality control, ensuring the health and safety of employees, protecting the environment or complying with government regulations. 

Industrial Engineers apply scientific, mathematical, and engineering methods to complex systems integration and operations. Because these systems are so large and complex, Industrial engineers require knowledge and skills across a broad range of disciplines, the ability to work well with people, and a broad systems perspective. 

Industrial engineers use their knowledge and skills to improve system processes through the use of statistical analysis, interpersonal communication, design, planning, quality control, operations management, computer simulation, and problem solving.  

- Systems Engineering

Systems engineering is defined as a methodical, multi-disciplinary approach for the design, realization, technical management, operations, and retirement of a system. 

A “system” is the combination of elements that function together to produce the capability required to meet a need. The elements include all hardware, software, equipment, facilities, personnel, processes, and procedures needed for this purpose; that is, all things required to produce system-level results.

The results include system-level qualities, properties, characteristics, functions, behavior, and performance. The value added by the system as a whole, beyond that contributed independently by the parts, is primarily created by the relationship among the parts; that is, how they are interconnected. 

It is a way of looking at the “big picture” when making technical decisions. It is a way of achieving stakeholder functional, physical, and operational performance requirements in the intended use environment over the planned life of the system within cost, schedule, and other constraints. It is a methodology that supports the containment of the life cycle cost of a system. In other words, systems engineering is a logical way of thinking.

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- Industrial Engineering vs. Systems Engineering

Industrial and systems engineering involves the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment, and energy. 

Systems engineers design and optimize complex systems. They work with many other technical professionals, including software engineers, hardware engineers, and programmers. 

Industrial engineers manage and improve manufacturing processes and service operations. Industrial engineers are primarily concerned with finding ways to better utilize machines, employees, and other assets that impact operations.

- Projects and Project Management

A Project is a temporary effort to create a unique product, service, or result. A project is temporary in that it has a clear start and end time, and therefore a clear scope and resources.

A project is unique in that it is not a routine operation, but a specific set of operations designed to achieve a single goal. As a result, project teams often include people who don't normally work together—sometimes from different organizations and across multiple geographies.

Developing software to improve business processes, constructing a building or bridge, relief efforts after a natural disaster, expanding sales into new geographic markets—all are projects.

All of this must be professionally managed to deliver the results, learning and integration the organization needs, on time and on budget.

Project management, then, is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.

Project management processes fall into five groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.  

Project management knowledge draws on ten areas: integration, scope, time, cost, quality, procurement, human resources, communications, risk management, and stakeholder management

- Industrial Engineer vs System Engineer vs Project Manager

Industrial and systems engineers use analysis and critical thinking to optimize complex systems, processes and organizations. They work in many sectors, including energy, healthcare, manufacturing and transportation.

Systems engineers design and optimize complex systems. They work alongside other technical professionals such as software engineers, hardware engineers, and programmers.

Industrial engineers manage and improve manufacturing processes and service operations. They leverage resources to improve processes and products.

The project manager and systems engineer share technical and management leadership of the project. They work together to work out the details that work for their situation.

Engineering managers use the principles of systems science and systems engineering and the tools of management science and project management. They may work in areas such as product development, manufacturing, construction and design engineering.

- Relationships between Project Management and Systems Engineering 

Project management and systems engineering are both important for engineering teams. Project management and systems engineering are critical to the success of developing and deploying complex systems, and they work closely together. 

Project managers focus on the project life cycle, while systems engineers focus on the technical baseline of the product. Both roles share responsibility for requirements management. 

Project managers and systems engineers work closely together to keep projects on track. Most systems engineering management applications use some traditional project management methods and tools. 

Skills and objectives for project management and systems engineering:

• Skills for project engineers include: Initiative, Knowledge of design and visualization software, and Decision making ability.
• Skills for systems engineers include: Analytical understanding, Good organizational skills, and Patience and perseverance.
• Project management involves: identifying project goals and milestones, developing multiple scenarios, and contingency plans. 
• Systems engineering involves: Defining customer needs and required functionality, Designing, and validating the product.