Integrating Program Management and Systems Engineering - by Eric Rebentisch (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Integrating Program Management and Systems Engineering shows how organizations can become more effective, more efficient, and more responsive, and enjoy better performance outcomes. The discussion begins with an overview of key concepts, and details the challenges faced by System Engineering and Program Management practitioners every day. The practical framework that follows describes how the roles can be integrated successfully to streamline project workflow, with a catalog of tools for assessing and deploying best practices. Case studies detail how real-world companies have successfully implemented the framework to improve cost, schedule, and technical performance, and coverage of risk management throughout helps you ensure the success of your organization's own integration strategy. Available course outlines and PowerPoint slides bring this book directly into the academic or corporate classroom, and the discussion's practical emphasis provides a direct path to implementation.

The integration of management and technical work paves the way for smoother projects and more positive outcomes. This book describes the integrated goal, and provides a clear framework for successful transition.

• Overcome challenges and improve cost, schedule, and technical performance
• Assess current capabilities and build to the level your organization needs
• Manage risk throughout all stages of integration and performance improvement
• Deploy best practices for teams and systems using the most effective tools

Complex engineering systems are prone to budget slips, scheduling errors, and a variety of challenges that affect the final outcome. These challenges are a sign of failure on the part of both management and technical, but can be overcome by integrating the roles into a cohesive unit focused on delivering a high-value product. Integrating Program Management with Systems Engineering provides a practical route to better performance for your organization as a whole.

From the Back Cover

"A great contribution to systems engineering and project management, this book lays out the fundamental challenges of integrating these two disciplines and offers well-written practical guidance on how to address those challenges. This is the most comprehensive examination I have seen on the ties between systems engineering and program management."
--Dr. Art Pyster, Professor and Associate Dean for Research Volgenau School of Engineering, George Mason University

"The integration of program management and systems engineering is the vital mixture for success of complex organization and societal challenges. This was the critical ingredient for the Apollo mission, and it is urgently needed for today's fast-paced and networked world. This is an indispensable book for those seeking evidence-based research and results."
--Edward J. Hoffman, Ph.D, former, Chief Knowledge Officer NASA and Executive in Residence, Columbia University, School of Professional Studies

"Through real life cases and examples, this book makes the case for genuine integration of program management and systems engineering. It shows how a combination of shared vision, responsiveness to change, empowerment of teams and technical competence lead to value realization when dealing with complex socio-technical systems. A must-read book!"
--Michel Thiry, Ph.D, FAPM, PMI Fellow

Achieve Greater Performance by Integrating your Key Program Functions

Integrating Program Management and Systems Engineering makes the case for achieving significant program and project improvements through the strategic integration of program managers and system engineers.

Developed through an alliance between the Project Management Institute (PMI), International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), and the Consortium for Engineering Program Excellence (CEPE) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this integrated approach and framework offers path of successful practices for creating better solutions. This guidebook presents a diverse group of contributors in program management, systems engineering, and academia, who share their collective knowledge of best approaches to improving program results through a unified working relationship between program managers and systems engineers. From defining the integrated goal to making a successful transition, everything you need is inside, including:

• Tools for assessing your current capabilities and building up to custom fit your organizational needs
• Proven tactics to improve cost, schedule, and technical performance of programs and projects
• Innovative techniques for managing risk through every stage of integration and performance improvement

Break through the silos in your organization and accomplish more together with Integrating Program Management and Systems Engineering.

About the Author

Eric Rebentisch leads research projects at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Sociotechnical Systems Research Center (SSRC). His research focuses on improving the performance of technically driven organizations and their product offerings.