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 used in the SEBoK as a knowledge area (KA); it includes systems engineering (SE) 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. (See Concept Definition KA.) This generally defines the problem statement which initiates a "concept stage" as discussed in the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Systems Engineering Handbook (INCOSE 2012). In the SEBoK, [[System Definition] is used to discuss the detail 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.