| >Is there a field of study/practice that deals with such changes to large scale system? It does sound like a very useful thing to systematically study, if possible. "Analysis points to ways engineering strategies could be reimagined to minimize delays and other unanticipated expenses." (from comments below). The two quoted authors in the press release are a prof in energy studies and a nuclear engineer. What I notice is that MIT does not have a Systems Engineering undergraduate department, but numerous specialties. In a large design/build project such as a nuclear power plant, the systems engineering group (there must be exactly one) keeps track of the performance and function of each of the subsystems (civil works like containment, basements, buildings; electrical; controls; HVAC; the nuclear bits; and so on). In addition, it is the system engineering group that responds (or directs responses) to a change order request, and the overall impact on expense, on functionality/reliability/safety, and schedule. It seems these are responsibilities that are not identified here with a known role; instead the authors reinvent system engineering for themselves. There is a lot of SE work done in numerous industries (Elon Musk is what I would call a systems engineer, based on how he identifies things to do and how he gets them done. His degree is not in SE though). A short list of US universities offer SE or related disciplines; in California/New York/Illinois. MIT is not one: it has a research group not a degree-granting program. References: https://www.incose.org/ The International Council of System Engineering. Has published a handbook in numerous editions over the years. https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/nasa-systems-engineering... First published 1995, based on other reports published in the 1960s. MILSTD 499, 1970s, very dated by today's standards |