The Dutch high-tech (equipment) industry is a crucial pillar in supporting the innovative strength of the Dutch economy. Dutch companies distinguish themselves globally with innovative systems. Many of these companies are globally ranked as number 1 or 2 in their markets. They have achieved this position by effectively integrating technological innovations into systems that they can produce, deliver, and service worldwide. Effective and efficient system engineering methodologies, techniques, and tools that can be optimally integrated into industrial R&D and engineering processes are essential ingredients in the success of these Dutch companies.

Programme duration: 4 years | 2024 - 2027

The complexity of high-tech devices is immense, and so is the complexity of the processes and organizations involved in their production. A recent survey of several leading companies indicates that complexity will continue to grow significantly in the coming years due to various reasons, such as the integration of systems into systems-of-systems, the application of AI in high-tech systems, and the increasing autonomous behavior of these systems. The enormous diversity of high-tech systems and their critical application in business processes, safety, etc., contribute to this complexity.

The industry anticipates further growth in the existing shortage of (systems) engineering experts. Combined with the challenges of increasing complexity, this requires methodologies (including techniques and tools) for engineers to address the systems engineering challenges of the future and strengthen the Dutch high-tech industry.

The strategic programme Systems Engineering for Hightech Systems, conducted by the consortium, focuses on researching systems engineering methodologies.

Five programme lines have been identified:

1. design for system qualities (performance, image quality, etc.)
2. design for life cycle excellence (reliability, sustainability, etc.)
3. system evolution and system diversity
4. integration of systems into systems-of-systems
5. systems architecting

The research aims to develop methodologies validated with industrial use cases, making them suitable for industrial use.