2.1 Purpose

The purpose of this Standard is to support the development and improvement of systems engineering capability.

2.2 Coverage

The scope of this standard includes all activities that associate with or enable systems engineering. Systems engineering is an inter-disciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. In this context, systems engineering is not limited to what either Systems Engineering organizations or Systems Engineers do. Rather it is the interaction of many people, processes, and organizations resulting in the accomplishment of the required activities.

This Standard is intended to provide complete coverage of EIA 632, Processes for Engineering a System, and be consistent with both it and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1220-1994, IEEE Trial-Use Standard for Application and Management of the Systems Engineering Process.

2.3 Application

The EIA SECM, EIA 731-1, is to be used in conjunction with the SECM Appraisal Method, EIA 731-2, to develop, improve, and assess systems engineering capability.

This Standard applies to programs and organizations doing systems engineering: small or large; simple or complex; software intensive or not; precedented or unprecedented. It applies to systems that may contain hardware, software, personnel, facilities, data, materials, services, or techniques. This Standard is applicable to the engineering of a new system or the reengineering of a legacy system, or portions thereof.

This Standard is intended solely to be used for self-development, self-improvement, and self-appraisal. Organizations should not apply this Standard to suppliers as a means of source selection or as a...