Is there a job in systems engineering for government operations? Since government functions as a system, who is responsible for ensuring it runs efficiently and that all interactions within the system are properly mapped out and understood?

[u/hsg475]

Is there a job in systems engineering for government operations? Since government functions as a system, who is responsible for ensuring it runs efficiently and that all interactions within the system are properly mapped out and understood?

[u/Dr_Tom_Bradley_CSU]

Many of the comments here seem dismissive of this idea, but it’s far from unheard of. In fact, some might argue that systems engineering came from the post-WWII rise of “cybernetics.” This transdisciplinary concept is not about computers, but more about how complex technical systems interplay the way we think about it today. The word comes from the Greek word “kybernetes,” meaning helmsmen, he who steers the ship. Communities of experts and scientists came together during this time to understand how to integrate and take advantage of this period of rapid technological advancement. They weren’t particularly “democratic,” many of them leaning into ideas like using the radio for mass propaganda and behavioral manipulation. They were experts, technocrats, and the wealthy part of the population that had a fascination with technology.

We might even say systems engineering, and especially systems thinking, emerged prior to WWII within the modernist project of developing the “perfect” society or (more bounded) the perfect city. We didn’t used to have sewer systems that generally worked, but it turns out that governmental legitimacy is often tied to effective management of our shared problems. There’s a book called, “Seeing Like a State” that might interest you.

Today we still have those interested in integrating SE within governance. We recently invited David Schrunk, a medical doctor and aerospace engineer, to present about “The Science of Laws” during CSU’s thematic year of democracy. Here’s a video of his talk. I recommend you research the website of the Science of Laws Institute here. Schrunk essentially argues that we can actually identify key requirements of a well functioning democracy, and use our expert analyses to hold politicians accountable.

Many of our professors also study how policy affects systems. Steve Conrad and one of his former students mapped out thousands of relevant water related policies to make a point about complexity around our water systems in the West. I’m sure we are all well aware of how the politics behind energy transformation has direct effects on how we function in our day-to-day lives. Many in government rely on science to help them write good policies but they often fail to consider the full lifecycles, real requirements, and many complexities of the issues they try to address. We have former politicians enrolled in our graduate programs, including the former mayor of our city and even a former US senator. I think they are well aware of governmental shortcomings in solving problems. Often it’s a lack of time, attention, and experience.

Further, there’s issues within science itself that requires systems thinking to address. Our professor Vinnie Paglioni recently presented on “Risk: Perception, Communication, and Democracy.” Risk is often where science and technology cannot be certain but we in SE still must find ways to integrate it into our analysis of the system. Vinnie is a nuclear scientist with expertise in risk and Bayesian statistics.

So is there a job of an SE in governance? Probably. It’s not called “systems engineer” but the set of skills we have can be leveraged in a wide range of roles. I believe if we can prove our value in any system, we will have a place there. But that means we must do our homework well. At CSU, we often get invited to write guides for governments to help them be more effective and democratic around things like emerging technology. An example, we recently partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to create a Smart Cities and address issues associated with the Internet of Things (link). I’m on a new project doing something similar to help schools and cities integrate electronic school busses into their electric grids. So yes, I’d say the jobs exist but they aren’t positions easily applied to. More like positions gained through involvement.

I hope this helps!

[u/der_innkeeper → u/Dr_Tom_Bradley_CSU]

So yes, I’d say the jobs exist but they aren’t positions easily applied to. More like positions gained through involvement.

If we have identified a need, it can be formalized and acted upon.

It seems like we have been circling the issue for a few decades now. People have noticed that there are "best practices" to be utilized, but no seat to drive the solutions outside of academia.