How do you show the value of your systems engineering work?

1 Define your value proposition

Before you can show your value, you need to define it. What is the unique contribution that you make as a systems engineer to your project, organization, or domain? How do you help solve problems, reduce risks, improve performance, or achieve goals? What are the specific outcomes and benefits that you deliver or enable? To answer these questions, you need to understand the needs and expectations of your stakeholders, customers, and managers, and align your value proposition with them.

2 Use metrics and indicators

One of the most effective ways to show your value is to use metrics and indicators that quantify and qualify your systems engineering work. Metrics and indicators are measurable or observable attributes that reflect the performance, progress, quality, or impact of your work. For example, you can use metrics and indicators to show how your work affects the cost, schedule, scope, reliability, usability, or satisfaction of your system or project. You can also use them to compare your work with alternatives, benchmarks, or standards.

3 Tell stories and use examples

Another powerful way to show your value is to tell stories and use examples that illustrate your systems engineering work. Stories and examples are engaging and memorable ways to convey your value proposition, metrics, and indicators. They can also help you explain complex concepts, demonstrate your skills and expertise, and showcase your achievements and successes. For example, you can tell stories and use examples to show how you applied your systems engineering approach, methods, and tools to solve a challenging problem, overcome a critical issue, or deliver a innovative solution.

4 Document and share your work

To show your value, you also need to document and share your work with your stakeholders, customers, and managers. Documenting and sharing your work means creating and maintaining clear, concise, and consistent records and reports of your systems engineering work. These can include requirements, specifications, models, diagrams, analyses, tests, reviews, or lessons learned. Documenting and sharing your work can help you communicate your value proposition, metrics, and indicators, as well as demonstrate your compliance, quality, and professionalism.

5 Seek feedback and recognition

Finally, to show your value, you need to seek feedback and recognition from your stakeholders, customers, and managers. Feedback and recognition are valuable sources of information and motivation for your systems engineering work. They can help you validate your value proposition, metrics, and indicators, as well as identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. They can also help you build your reputation, credibility, and trust as a systems engineer. To seek feedback and recognition, you need to ask for it, listen to it, act on it, and appreciate it.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?