Concept Definition (glossary)
A set of core technical activities of systems engineering in which the problem space and the needs of the stakeholders are closely examined. This consists of analysis of the problem space and definition of stakeholder needs for required services within it. (Created for SEBoK)
Source
This definition was developed for the SEBoK.
Discussion
Concept Definition is a knowledge area in the SEBoK; it includes systems engineering activities which occur before any formal definition of the system-of-interest (SoI) is developed such as analysis and definition of stakeholder needs and requirements. This generally defines the problem statement which initiates a "concept stage" as discussed in INCOSE (2012). In the SEBoK, System Definition is used to discuss the detailed description of a solution system.
Work Cited
INCOSE. 2012. Systems Engineering Handbook: A Guide for System Life Cycle Processes and Activities, version 3.2.2. San Diego, CA, USA: International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), INCOSE-TP-2003-002-03.2.2.