Project Performance International (PPI) was proud to sponsor and exhibit at the Annual Systems Engineering Conference (ASEC) this year! PPI was represented by Business Development Manager and Senior Engineer, René King, as well as Principal Consultant and Course Presenter, Paul Davies. René and Paul share below their highlights and reflections on the event.
René King: “The INCOSE ASEC 2023 conference, characterized by being vibrant, forward-thinking, and flawlessly executed, was a true embodiment of its theme “Embracing New Opportunities.” The event integrated this motif across various elements, from the innovative Spaces at Spline venue in Liverpool, UK, to the captivating keynote presentations, and even in addressing challenging topics of the zeitgeist, a hallmark of INCOSE UK’s bold approach. This combination consistently makes INCOSE ASEC a highlight of my year, leaving me with enriched insights and a refreshed perspective on systems engineering.
Dot-The-Eye’s exceptional management of the event stood out (as usual), showcasing their professionalism and integral role in the overall impact of INCOSE ASEC. In addition, this year’s conference saw unprecedented attendance and exhibitor participation, with 40% of the event participants being first-time attendees.
INCOSE UK’s Technical Director, Jon Holt gave tribute to some hot-off-the-press INCOSE UK publications, including “Don’t Panic! The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to System Integration and Test” by PPI’s Paul Davies, as well as other exceptional publications such as Tim Weilkiens’ and Chistian Muggeos’ book on SysML v2 as part of the same series. During the opening session, INCOSE Executive Director Steve Records eloquently presented the International organization’s vision to evolve from an author to an authoritative body, emphasizing operational excellence and professional development along this journey. His remark, “everyone likes progress but nobody likes change” resonated throughout the conference during hallway discussions and workshop interactions. Steve highlighted INCOSE’s commitment to gradual, evolutionary change.
The formation of an INCOSE chapter in Latin America (INCOSE Latam) highlighted the organization’s dedication to cultural integration and global outreach. Records shared his ambition to establish a strong and unified “One INCOSE” that allows for innovation and transformation of regional and national Chapters but also maintains the shared vision and ethos across all INCOSE chapters as new INCOSE groups burgeon around the world.
Dr. Nike Foyalan keynote was a high point, delving into the integration of diversity in organizational structures, stating that embracing SE often means welcoming a paradigm shift that supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Her insights on transforming engineering education and the workforce were profound, raising critical questions about retention and representation of black and ethnic minority within the engineering industry.
Dr. Eluned Lewis’s after-dinner speech was particularly memorable, combining humor, engineering excellency and personal anecdotes from her distinguished career in personal protection and armor testing.
Jessica Korzeniowska’s tutorial titled, “Sharing the Magic of Systems Engineering,” was a celebration of creativity and innovation in teaching SE, blending elements of fantasy and practicality in an engaging and informative manner.
A highlight of the event – the afternoon panel session, led once again by the enigmatic Jon Holt, provided unscripted, authentic insights into INCOSE UK’s future direction, including the pending transformation of INCOSE into the Institute for Systems Engineering (IfSE) and its implications for the organization’s identity and coherence.
The conference also sone light on SEP certification and Professional Registration, with a significant increase in these professional development activities within INCOSE UK, underscoring their value to members.
In conclusion, the INCOSE ASEC 2023 conference was a remarkable convergence of thought leadership, innovation, and professional development, leaving attendees feeling inspired and excited to navigate the evolving landscape of systems engineering.”
