Because systems engineering is the discipline which emphasizes the development and exploitation of structured, efficient approaches to analysis and design, methodologies for the processes of design and analysis are central, as well as tools for analyzing and optimizing the performance and cost of a product. For example, the definition, design and realization of a new commercial aircraft requires a product design which is technologically advanced in performance, safe, ergonomic, fuel efficient, minimal cost, etc. But the process of efficiently developing that design and implementing models, prototypes, and test methods is also critical for timely product introduction and reduced development cost. Systems engineering skills such as concurrent engineering design, hierarchical modeling, and others provide profound value to systems definition and development. Thus, life cycle considerations overlaid on process and product quality place a premium on reliability and risk assessment.
Systems engineering involves non-technical components and metrics.
Most obvious in this category is economics, i.e., cost. This includes not only product capital cost, but other related cost factors such as costs amortized over product life cycle, development cost, and market timeliness, and risk factors associated with the product development investment. Business and management processes also influence costs and economics substantially. While economics and cost are already normally considered intrinsic factors in conventional engineering disciplines, systems engineering places an explicit, high priority on these factors. Human factors also play a crucial role in systems engineering.