Richard Beasley discusses systems engineering capability at INCOSE Orlando meeting

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

October 24, 2025

 

The INCOSE Orlando Chapter hosted a presentation by Richard Beasley titled “Capability to Develop, Produce, Maintain, and Support Systems: A System Itself,” on Oct. 15.

 

Beasley explored the idea that systems engineering capability is more than just a set of processes — it can be understood as an integrated system in its own right. The presentation drew on his industry experience and his involvement in INCOSE’s ongoing efforts to advance systems engineering within organizations.

 

Beasley introduced a framework that includes three interconnected systems: the solution system, the project or development system, and the capability or organizational system. He explained that these systems operate on different timeframes and interact within a shared context, requiring coordination to achieve consistent outcomes.

 

“The effectiveness of complex systems relies on how well these three systems coordinate and adjust together over time,” Beasley said. “Maintaining this alignment helps organizations manage complexity and deliver better outcomes.”

 

He described systems engineering as a combination of resources, processes, training, governance, tools and organizational structures, characterizing it as a complex adaptive system that changes in response to internal and external factors.

 

Beasley noted that capability development is often viewed as a long-term investment and may receive less attention than short-term project goals. This imbalance, he said, can affect how organizations allocate resources to sustain engineering capability.

 

“Capability development is often not directly linked to immediate project milestones or deliverables, which means it can compete with more urgent priorities,” Beasley said. “This makes it challenging for organizations focused on short-term goals to secure sustained attention and consistent funding for these efforts.”

 

He also referenced the ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 standard, which outlines both technical processes and organization project enabling processes. Beasley emphasized that enabling processes —  such as infrastructure, workforce development and organizational learning –sometimes receive less focus than technical or project management processes, even though they are critical to long-term success.

 

Beasley highlighted challenges related to funding, ownership and competing priorities as key factors that can influence capability development. He underscored the importance of approaching capability development as a structured, ongoing activity that supports organizational performance.

 

“Effectively managing capability development in a deliberate and organized way is important for maintaining ongoing project success,” Beasley said. “It also strengthens an organization’s ability to adapt and respond to changing conditions over time.”

 

The presentation aligns with INCOSE’s broader goal of integrating systems thinking across organizations. The INCOSE Orlando Chapter continues to provide a forum for exploring topics that advance the practice and understanding of systems engineering.