Screening Candidate Systems Engineers: A Research Design

Abstract. In this paper, we focus on the human dimension of Systems Engineering by addressing the need for the development of systems engineering potential in candidate engineers. Specifically, we propose a research design for a systems engineering screening methodology that could be used to screen potential systems engineers. According to our design, this can be achieved by defining a system engineering profile according to specific psychological attributes, and using this profile to predict competence in systems engineering. This is done with the aim of increasing the identification and successful development of systems engineering potential, in order to address the shortage of systems engineering skills in South-Africa over a long-term period.