Overview
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4:2026 is an international standard that addresses the management and planning aspects of systems engineering (SE) throughout the life cycle of technical projects. Developed by ISO, IEC, and IEEE, this standard provides an expanded view of how to implement SE management using processes from ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, with a critical focus on the creation and use of the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP). The SEMP serves as a central document that guides technical management and execution of systems engineering activities, ensuring that technical solutions are delivered effectively and efficiently across all life cycle stages.
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4:2026 is applicable to organizations, project managers, and technical teams involved in developing human-made systems, products, or services. It is highly relevant for anyone responsible for the technical management or execution of system life cycle processes in both single-party and multi-party project contexts, including projects that have high complexity and risk.
Key Topics
- Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP): Central to the standard, the SEMP outlines the project-specific application of systems life cycle processes, including objectives, scope, technical organization, schedules, resources, and planning for all critical technical activities.
- Integration with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288: The standard provides extended guidance on applying and tailoring the established processes from ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 to specific projects, ensuring alignment between planning and execution.
- Technical and Organizational Processes: Discusses the full range of processes needed for effective systems engineering management, including agreement processes, technical management, and technical processes.
- Application to Various Project Types: Offers guidance on using the standard in two-party, multi-party, and intra-organizational projects, increasing its relevance for systems with multiple stakeholders or suppliers.
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Supports integration of modern engineering methods, including model-based approaches and digital engineering concepts.
- Conformance and Tailoring: Explains how compliance with the standard can be claimed and how organizations may tailor the requirements to their unique context, as described in the standard’s annexes.
Applications
ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4:2026 offers practical value for a broad range of industries and project types including:
- Technical Project Management: Enables organizations to establish a structured, documented approach to systems engineering planning, supporting successful project delivery and enhanced stakeholder communication.
- Lifecycle Risk Management: Particularly valuable in multi-party or high-risk projects, where integration and technical risk must be carefully managed and coordinated across suppliers.
- Process Improvement: Provides a reference model for assessing, improving, and documenting systems engineering practices at the organizational or project level.
- Engineering Management Documentation: Guides the creation of robust technical management documentation needed for compliance, auditing, and effective knowledge transfer.
- Alignment with Modern SE Practices: Supports adoption of digital engineering and MBSE, ensuring the SEMP reflects contemporary engineering methodologies and toolsets.
Related Standards
Organizations and professionals implementing ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4:2026 should also be familiar with these related standards for comprehensive systems engineering management:
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288: Systems and software engineering - System life cycle processes
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-1 and 24748-2: Guidance on the application of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 16326: Project management processes and project management plan (PMP) guidance
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 21839, 21840, 21841: Standards addressing systems of systems (SoS) engineering, taxonomy, and management
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148: Requirements engineering guidance
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939, 15289: Measurement processes and information items standards to support SE planning and management
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 24641: Reference model and process framework for model-based systems and software engineering (MBSE/MBSSE)
For organizations seeking to optimize their systems engineering management through structured life cycle planning and documentation, ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-4:2026 delivers essential guidance aligned with global best practices and up-to-date methodologies.