Systems engineering in modern power plant projects: 'Stakeholder Engineer' roles

Abstract

Systems Engineering is a methodology for handling complexity, developed initially to handle the complexity found in the development and operation of large defence and telecommunications systems. This paper addresses a somewhat different domain in which industry is faced with increasing complexity: the domain of large infrastructure projects The paper focuses on the complexity of both the functional and contractual interactions of the numerous stakeholders involved in such projects, and demonstrates that the principles and processes of systems engineering can be also be applied here. The examples that are used are from the power and energy sector. Over the last few years these projects have become more complex from a contractual point of view, with the key parties engaging their own engineering advisors. In this paper, these roles are described as 'Stakeholder Engineer' roles. © 2012 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.