Engineering Systems Thinking: Cognitive Competencies of Successful Systems Engineers

Systems thinking is what makes systems engineering different from other kinds of engineering and is the underpinning skill required to do systems engineering. Engineering Systems Thinking is hypothesized as a major high-order thinking skill that enables individuals to successfully perform systems engineering tasks. First, several SE competency models are presented. Then, the CEST (Capacity for Engineering Systems Thinking) Competency Model is discussed. The model presents list of cognitive competencies that are all related to systems thinking and each one of them can be assessed separately. This paper discusses these cognitive competencies of successful systems engineers.