Title: Towards a quantitative tool for assessing the capacity for engineering systems thinking

Authors: Moti Frank

Addresses: Department of Technology Management, HIT – Holon Institute of Technology, Holon 58102, Israel

Abstract: To successfully perform systems engineering tasks, the systems engineer needs a systems view or, in other words, a high Capacity for Engineering Systems Thinking (CEST). The main characteristic of CEST is the ability to see the whole picture and identify the system|s emergent properties, capabilities, behaviours, and functions without looking inside the system. A tool for quantitatively assessing CEST is currently being developed and the initial framework is presented in this paper. Such a test, when developed and validated, may help organisations better classify engineering graduates, and identify potentially successful systems engineers among their employees. The paper discusses the rationale, principles, uses and stages of development, and presents some items of the tool.

Keywords: systems thinking; engineering systems; CEST; systems view; global cognitive style; Capacity for Engineering Systems Thinking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2007.017132

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.240 - 253

Published online: 15 Feb 2008 *

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