Initiatives

Systems Engineering Research University Affiliated Research Center (SER UARC)

The Systems Engineering Research University Affiliated Research Center (SER UARC) will advance the practice of systems engineering within DoD by conducting innovative research into new SE methods, processes, and tools (MPTs) to address recurring problems in the acquisition of systems and services.

Mission
The mission of the SER UARC is to research and analyze advanced and emerging systems engineering practices and relevant technologies to address the full spectrum of DoD systems across the Department, from capability areas, enterprise systems, systems of systems, and interoperability down to subsystems and configuration items with the goal of ensuring consistency and systems engineering excellence throughout the acquisition life cycle.

Purpose
While OSD and Component actions over the last four years have accomplished much to restore application of good systems engineering practices back into the way the acquisition community does business, much can still be accomplished to change root cause behaviors on these programs.  Systems engineering research will inform the current state of practice on programs, provide a means to explore and exploit concepts to enable design and development of complex systems, and underpin effective integration of program/business processes with technical management MPTs throughout the acquisition life cycle.