AdWiSE – Creation of a network of stakeholders for the interdisciplinary development of complex networked sociotechnical systems for future value creation (Advanced Systems Engineering)
Background
Digitalisation and artificial intelligence will be key defining features of the technical systems of tomorrow and will result in products, services and production systems becoming increasingly complex. To manage this complexity, an interdisciplinary approach and work organisation that includes all relevant specialist disciplines is required. This calls for a model-based system of engineering, which is referred to as Advanced Systems Engineering (ASE). Industry and universities must adequately prepare themselves.
However, in both industry and universities, R&D activities are organised along specialist discipline or faculty lines. The necessary holistic engineering methods and instruments have to be developed. In addition, sufficient skilled workers must have the expertise to create multidisciplinary designs for the systems of tomorrow.
The aim of the AdWiSE project is to make a significant contribution to the development and establishment of ASE skills that are outstanding at an international level, thereby ensuring that complex systems are professionally developed in Germany and quickly gain lasting market success. This would be a huge boon for value creation, prosperity and employment and thus boost the security of Germany as a place of innovation and production.
Objective
The primary objective of AdWiSE is to provide scientific support and continuity for the joint projects under the funding scheme “Handling the complexity of sociotechnical systems – a report on Advanced Systems Engineering for the value creation of tomorrow (PDA_ASE)” launched in 2020 under the Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s research programme entitled “Innovationen für die Produktion, Dienstleistung und Arbeit von morgen” (innovation for the production, services and work of tomorrow) (in German). The project takes transferable ASE requirements from the research work, measures and pilot applications of the ASE joint projects and creates an overarching framework. acatech’s main task within the AdWiSE project is to create a framework for the development of a scientifically sound strategy that drives forward the establishment of a new level of engineering competence in Germany. The target groups of the project are small- and medium-sized as well as large companies in the machinery and plant engineering sector and related sectors such as aerospace, automotive and electrical as well as medical devices. The project brings together the target groups from research, teaching and industry to enhance, on a lasting basis, the innovative capacity of Germany as a place to do business in the context of digitalisation and to facilitate joint action. At the same time, the involvement of political stakeholders ensures proper dialogue concerning research funding and the regulatory framework.
This R&D project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the programme “Innovationen für die Produktion, Dienstleistung und Arbeit von morgen” and administrated by Projektträger Karlsruhe (PTKA) (in German). The authors are responsible for the content of this publication.
Further information
AdWiSE project website (in German)
Publications
The Advanced Systems Engineering Strategy – A Central Initiative for the Future of Germany as an Engineering and Innovation Hub
By flagging need for action, the publication plays an important part in Germany maintaining and extending its position of leadership in engineering into the future. It outlines what politics, industry and science can do to make the systems of tomorrow sustainable, reliable and successful, the aim being engineering excellence.
Engineering in Germany – The Current Situation in Science and Industry. A Contribution to Advanced Systems Engineering
This publication analyses the current situation regarding engineering in science and industry in Germany. A qualitative study of the trends in engineering as well as the challenges and possible solutions in the fields of advanced systems, systems engineering and advanced engineering was conducted.