Systems Engineering Glossary

A time-based plan of milestones/ activities for performing work or achieving an objective.

A group of functionally related items in the system hierarchy.

A developer framework for building Service-Based Architecture services.  It provides both multi-protocol and multi-language support.

The principles, structures, and methodologies for linking together loosely coupled systems/ services, typically through shared data or common logic/ direction.

Principles, structures, and methodologies for linking together loosely coupled systems/ services, typically through shared data or common logic/ direction.  Also known as Service – Based Architecture.

An approach to solving complex, unstructured human problem situations based on holistic analysis and systems thinking.

The structure or structures of a system comprised of software components.  The architecture identifies constraints, connections, and the relationships among the components including databases and potentially physical implications.

Documentation of a project’s architectural overview, architecture specifications, and design rationale.

The application of a systematic approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software.

An artifact of he definition process that contains all of the requirements for a software product.  It is the starting point for software architecting.

Engineering discipline areas that focus on a specific aspect of a system rather than the whole, such as reliability, maintainability, cybersecurity, human factors, etc.

Requirements about which a buy or implementation decision has been made, usually described in a document that precisely defines the technical performance characteristics of a system or system component and the criteria for acceptance.

A software technique for evolutionary creation of a product (similar to agile development) using short development and delivery cycles.

An incremental development process that matures capabilities prior to introduction to the implementation phase of a product.

A conceptual model product development that illustrates iterative risk reduction activities prior to a linear-sequential implementation process.

An individual or group that can affect or may be affected by a given project, product, or activity.

Needs, desires, capabilities, and constraints that are expressed by those who have a vested interest in the system.

A document that establishes criteria, methods, processes, and practices accepted by an approving organization.

A grouping of components within an element that perform a major and distinct function.

The specific accomplishments that must be satisfactorily demonstrated in order to progress further in the life cycle.