Overview
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4:2016 - Systems and software engineering - Life cycle management - Part 4: Systems engineering planning - defines requirements and guidance for preparing a Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) and for the project-level technical planning activities needed to execute systems engineering across a system life cycle. Aligned with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and forming Part 4 of the ISO/IEC 24748 series, the standard unifies technical and management expectations and provides a common SEMP format and content baseline.
Key topics and requirements
- SEMP content and common format: Specifies required sections and information items for a SEMP (e.g., technical project summary, organization, technical definition planning, execution and control, supporting process plans).
- Technical management processes: Identifies the systems engineering planning processes to be applied, including:
- Project planning
- Project assessment and control
- Decision management
- Risk management
- Configuration management
- Information management
- Measurement
- Quality assurance
- Information item guidance: Defines front matter, references, definitions and detailed content expectations for each SEMP element (e.g., schedule and budget summary, technical baselines, verification & validation planning).
- Tailoring and conformance: Describes tailoring policies and processes so organizations can adapt the SEMP content to project size, complexity, and life cycle stage; provides conformance options (full or tailored).
- Life cycle considerations: Offers guidance for SEMP content across life cycle stages (concept, development, production, utilization, support, retirement) and cross-references Project Management Plan (PMP) elements.
Applications and who uses it
- Systems engineers and lead systems integrators use the standard to develop a SEMP that documents how systems engineering will be executed, controlled, and verified.
- Project managers and technical program offices apply it to ensure project planning integrates technical and management processes consistently with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.
- Acquirers, suppliers and contractors leverage the SEMP format to align expectations, demonstrate conformance, and support contract deliverables.
- Quality assurance and configuration teams use the process definitions and measurement guidance to implement control, verification, and audit activities.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 - System life cycle processes (primary process framework referenced)
- ISO/IEC 24748 (Parts 1–5) - Life cycle management guidance (Part 1 guide; Part 5 software planning)
- ISO/IEC 16326 - Project Management Plan content cross-reference (see annex relationship)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4 is essential for organizations seeking a standardized, auditable approach to systems engineering planning, SEMP development, and life cycle-based technical project control. Keywords: ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4, SEMP, systems engineering planning, life cycle management, ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, project planning.