KSEE 2025: Transdisciplinary collaboration is key to successful systems development

Topic: INCOSE and its New Strategic Plan and 2025 Tactical Priorities

Abstract: In early 2022, INCOSE released the Systems Engineering Vision 2035, designed to inspire and guide the future of systems engineering for the global systems community. This ambitious vision sets a high standard for the role of systems engineering, expanding its focus beyond the traditional technical system lifecycle to address critical global challenges such as natural resource management and climate change.

While the growing adoption of systems engineering is a positive trend, it also raises challenges. The rapid proliferation of the discipline has led to concerns about inconsistent practices and a dilution of its core principles. In this context, industrial members are calling for more authoritative guidance and standardized approaches from INCOSE. These dynamics underscore the need for a clear strategic reorientation of INCOSE to address today’s complex environment.

This presentation will introduce INCOSE, the competitive landscape driving INCOSE’s updated strategic plan and outline its key components. It will also detail some initial actions taken and the tactical priorities established by the board for 2025

Bio:

Ralf Hartmann is currently serving as President of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) in 2024 and 2025. Ralf is an active and engaged INCOSE member since 1996 and a founding member of GfSE, the German Chapter of INCOSE. He has been selected as an INCOSE Fellow in 2005 and received the prestigious INCOSE Founders Award in 2008. From 2008 until 2014 Ralf served as INCOSE Director for Strategy and ensured sponsorship of the former SE Vision 2025 in this period.

Ralf received a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe (KIT) and he is a certified project management professional (GPM/IPMA).

Ralf Hartmann retired from Airbus the end of 2021 after a career of nearly 35 years in space and defense systems covering robotics, automatic control, simulation, S/W development and primarily Systems Engineering. In this period, he held various positions as project manager and vice president of international teams for engineering, research and technology.

Ralf joined the Digital Transformation Office at Airbus Defense & Space in 2017 where he created and led the organization for “Digital Design, Manufacturing and Service” (DDMS). Furthermore, he was Head of Airbus Group Systems Engineering Governance. Along his whole career Ralf Hartmann was an engaged evangelist and promoter of Systems Engineering, the digital transformation and especially its combination.

Today Ralf is a self-employed management and systems engineering consultant.

Topic: Smart technology + Smart collaboration = Smart systems

Abstract: How do we develop systems that actually work – in a world shaped by complexity, high speed, and artificial intelligence? Smart tools and models are only half the solution. The other half is about people – and about collaboration that truly works across silos, domains, tools, and cultures.

In this talk, you’ll gain insight into how to:

– strengthen the most important – and most underestimated – factor for team effectiveness

– combine artificial and human intelligence to improve decisions and collaboration

– lead and deliver complex, cross-disciplinary projects with fewer misunderstandings and less friction

So, you work smarter together – and people don’t become the bottleneck in modern systems development

Bio: Eva, a Business Transformation Coach and author of Future-Oriented Leadership in the AI ​​Era and a driving force behind  the Slow Down to Speed ​​Up methodology – an approach she herself discovered the transformative power of as a leader at ESPRIT in Germany.

With 18 years of experience, Efwa - who was born in Sweden and is pronounced Eva - has trained leaders at all levels, across industries.

This has resulted in increased strategic execution, modernization, growth and profitability. Her clients include Elopak, Kongsberg Gruppen, NOAH Solutions, Exxon, VAR, bbhugme and Norgips...

She has a solid academic background:

• Master i Global HRM (2016)
• High Performance Leadership (BI, 2008)
• Coach education, ICF standard (NCA, 2007)
• Sustainable Business Strategy (Harvard, 2022)
• Certified Exponential Organization Consultant (OpenExO, 2023)

Through lectures, coaching, and effective Slow down to speed up methodology ™  and Human-Tech Leadership ™ training, she helps you and your team work smarter, become a robust leader in uncertain AI times - and increase profitability. 

Topic: Ugly and unfinished as a catalyst for project development

Abstract: In engineering, there’s often pressure to present work that appears polished, resolved, and complete—even when it’s not. This impulse can unintentionally conceal uncertainty or invite false confidence. In contrast, deliberately leaving elements ugly or visibly unfinished can serve as a powerful communication tool. This presentation explores how such strategies can help highlight ambiguity, invite scrutiny, and provoke valuable collaboration. Drawing on research and real-world examples, we’ll show how to use “unfinished-ness” to focus attention where it’s needed most.

Bio:
Dr. Phillip Papatzacos has an MSc in Nanoengineering from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Micro- Nanosystems from USN, during which he was granted an exchange at Stanford University. He has currently been working at KDA as a Systems Designer for a little over 2 years. His doctoral thesis was focused on packaging of a thermal camera sensor and involved such varying topics as FEM-simulation, optics, material science, and more, which provided ample opportunity for cross-disciplinary confusion and frustration. He will now return to USN to share some techniques on how to effectively break-through the walls of these methodological silos and make teams focus on the tasks designated with the highest priority.

Topic: A roadmap for digital transformation - showing the resulting organizational tensions 

(OR) A roadmap for digital transformation in high tech industry: How to organize and manage with conflicting pressures

Abstract: The presentation will be presenting interesting findings from two years of research in the Kongsberg industry. There is a gap between what management wants to achieve and what is happening. The engineers and designers are busy delivering projects, and the digital initiatives are suffering. What is the way forward?

Bio: Associate professor in organization and leadership at USN. Resarcher in BATNET project. She holds a PhD in innovation from University of Tromsø. Her field of research is develepment of organizations, implementation of innovations, creativity, knowledge, and network among organizations and new perspectives of leadership. She has long experience from teaching and has a Professor II positon at BI.

Topic: A journey towards holistic view and shared understanding - through systems thinking

Abstract: How can we address questions surrounding feedback relationships in Norwegian defence acquisition processes and what are the systemic policy challenges in the defence acquisition lifecycle? Touching on transdisciplinary challenges through a case study, we evaluated feedback relationships in the Norwegian defence acquisition lifecycle using system dynamics modeling and identified relationships to operational effectiveness, affecting how policy and spending interact. In addition, there are lessons learned from experience in the defence sector that involves transdisciplinary challenges and benefits.

Bio: Jørgen Bjørnholt holds a Msc in systems engineering and industrial economics form 2019, and is employed by the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) as a coordinator for continuous improvement and business development. The last five years he has sought to support personnel acquiring defence systems in NDMA. Prior to this, he was a subject matter expert for ten years, specialized in protection and survivability in land based systems. As a former officer and fighter jet specialist (crew chief F-16) he has mainly experience from complex defence systems and the soft systems that utilize and support them, also called humans.

Topic: Systems of the future – how do we know where we are going? System-oriented design

Abstract:

Bio: Espen Strange is a Design Specialist in System-Oriented Design at Kongsberg Maritime. He applies this specialisation to address complex issues in the design of advanced maritime workplaces, such as ship bridges and control rooms, supporting both crewed and uncrewed maritime operations. He holds an Executive Master's in System-Oriented Design from The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), where his academic work helps shape collaboration and design of future solutions at Kongsberg Maritime.

Topic: Investigating Systems Engineering Competencies in Norwegian Defense Industry to strengthen the Role Definition

Abstract: This presentation offers the audience valuable insights into roles and competencies within the Norwegian defense industry, drawing comparisons to a similar study conducted in the high-tech sector in the Netherlands. Through this comparison, we identify notable similarities between the two countries. The analysis highlights factors such as rapid industry growth, a young workforce, diverse role titles, and organizational restructurings, which contribute to the complexity in role definition. To enhance role clarity, we examine current competency levels against the knowledge areas of the π-shaped model. We propose developing a shared understanding of systems engineering to strengthen role definitions and build competency in critical areas like life cycles and finance.

Bio: Hold a bachelor’s degree in economics and have completed a master’s degree in Innovation and Technology Management with a specialization in Systems Engineering. Currently working as a Project Engineer in KDA. 

Topic: Systems influenced by mines - How to use and create a ghost ship?

Abstract: In today's maritime industry, "autonomy" is undoubtedly one of the most buzzwords. The motivation is clear: to reduce costs and improve performance by eliminating human limitations. When it comes to underwater mine clearance, autonomous vessels offer an obvious advantage: removing human operators from the field.

Creating a "ghost ship" that can trigger mines is a proven technology, but it introduces significant engineering challenges. These challenges are largely due to the system's multidisciplinary complexity, strict durability requirements in hazardous environments, and the need for precise operations when actually triggering mines and planning subsequent actions. Replacing up to ten manual operators with a fully autonomous system greatly increases complexity. Humans are highly flexible and adaptable in such operations, which sets a high bar for autonomous systems to replicate.

This presentation will explore how various scientific disciplines must be integrated to meet these challenges, deeply dependent on understanding complex interactions.

Bio: 30 years of Technical Leader experience from various industries. Currently, Trgyve is CEO at H. Henriksen AS for the last 15 years. Mechanical engineer from USN in 1992. Local politician for the Conservative Party (Høyre) in Færder municipality. Residing at Nøtterøy, Tønsberg.