The Human Interface of Systems Engineering
Behind every baseline, milestone gate, and SysML model lies an unwritten network of status preservation, informal trades, and tactical compromises. We are investigating the micro-sociological friction that normative standards overlook. Our goal is to give Systems Engineers a Guideline for the Human Aspect. Support our research by sharing your stories.
The Watermelon Status
Status report is always green... until the sudden crash.
Zero-Risk Paralysis
We can't decide as long as there is a 1% residual risk.
Rogue Shadow IT
Engineering units quietly build unapproved tools and shadow pipelines.
24-Hour Amnesia
Clear workshop consensus mysteriously evaporates overnight.
The Doom Prophets
Three team members whisper: "We'll never pull this off anyway."
Fractional Chaos
12 concurrent priority initiatives, each staffed with half an engineer.
The "Not My Job" Abyss
Critical interface boundaries where nobody assumes ownership.
The Elephant in the Memos
"We urgently need to address X" — and the topic is perpetually avoided.
Backstage Whispers
"I'd better call them directly off the record instead of logging it formally."
Typical organisational challenges. Do you know specific examples? This is what we are interested in!
Research Participation & Boundaries
You choose the level of involvement and your boundary of comfort. No organizational exposure, no technical disclosure.
Written or Audio Narrative
⏱ 10–15 minutes • Direct intakeDescribe a real sociotechnical interaction (e.g. a milestone review, an unwritten trade-off, or cross-discipline friction) in your own words using our structured prompt. No calls or scheduling required.
Semi-Structured Deep Dive
⏱ 45–60 minutes • Remote syncA confidential 1-on-1 interview exploring backstage coordination, "saving face", informal compromises, and metrics distortion. The full verbatim transcript is returned to you for redacting prior to analysis.
Field Observation & Shadowing
⏱ By meeting duration • On-site/VirtualPassive observation of engineering synchronization rituals, architecture boards, or micro-analysis of recorded retrospective meetings. Strictly subject to bilateral non-disclosure and research agreements.
From Theoretical Foundations to Industry Guidelines
Addressing the INCOSE Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) Call for SolutionsEMEASEC 2026 Presentation
Delivered foundational presentation on cognitive resistance, neurobiology, and sociological interfaces in Linköping.
Dutch SE Days 2026 (DSED)
Scientific paper submission and presentation on architecting human-system interfaces across disciplinary boundaries.
Field Vignettes & Data Sessions
Crowdsourcing encrypted voice notes and qualitative narratives. Joint data sessions grounding Goffman's dramaturgy.
INCOSE IS 2027 Paper Submission
Peer-reviewed symposium paper defending empirical findings against CFS-C2-03, CFS-C4-01, and CFS-C6-04 priorities.
Targeted Industry Pilots (JIP)
Field testing backstage interface heuristics and watermelon risk protocols within live engineering programs at CAB member enterprises.
The Interface Navigation Map
Not a rigid standard, but a territory map focusing on CFS-C2-03, CFS-C4-01, and CFS-C6-04: practical guidelines and heuristics for navigating informal barriers, status rituals, and cross-discipline interface friction.
Research Team & Advisory Board
Bridging enterprise systems architecture, micro-sociology, and industrial heritage.
Alexander Efremov
Principal Systems Architect Efremov Systems (Germany)15+ years in R&D leadership, aerospace, defense and academia. Specialises in MBSE adoption, complex systems architecting, and the sociotechnical aspects of engineering organizations.
Dr. Nils Klowait
Sociologist • Methodology Lead Nils Klowait Consulting (Germany)Expert in micro-sociology, Goffmanian interaction order, and ethnomethodological data sessions. Investigates informal ritualization, status defense, and backstage alignment in complex hierarchies.
Richard Beasley
INCOSE Fellow • Systems Advisor Former Chief Systems Engineer, Rolls-Royce (UK)Focuses on embedding Systems Engineering into organisations. Champions holistic integration, systems thinking, and avoiding Goodhart's Law to create systems that truly work as a whole.
Dan-Felix van Essen
Partner at Pioneers Partners GmbH Prior Phase Research CollaborationExecutive coach and co-author of foundational works for EMEASEC 2026 (Linköping) and DSED 2026 (Eindhoven), establishing neurobiological and behavioural framing for human interface architecture.
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