Why Holistic Engineering?

What is Holistic Engineering –
and how can your engineering projects benefit?

We understand holistic engineering to mean the methodical and structured development of complex systems and software from the initial idea to the marketable product and beyond, including further generations and variants of the product. It combines technology, organization, and processes into a consistent environment fostering efficient work for all project team members. 

The importance of holistic engineering lies in the fact that it imposes order and structure on increasingly complex development processes: requirements are precisely defined, risks are minimized, and innovations are efficiently implemented. Without professional methods and tools that enable consistency and accessibility of engineering artifacts across domains and disciplines, it would be hard to ensure the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of advanced products. Holistic engineering is therefore a key success factor for businesses and society.

Current challenges in engineering

Today's product development faces a multitude of challenges. Increasing segmentation of markets and new customer requirements demand ever more features and constantly increasing system interconnectivity, resulting in escalating complexity of interfaces. Added to this are regulatory requirements: Standards such as ISO 26262 and DO-178C demand complete verification and comprehensive documentation. At the same time, markets expect shorter innovation cycles with at least the same level of quality.

Global collaboration can also be another obstacle. Engineering projects are often handled by internationally distributed teams and require both clear processes and powerful tools. The overall objective remains the same: to master complexity while ensuring product quality, safety, and efficiency without compromising the project's economic viability.

The added value of Holistic Engineering

Holistic engineering of systems and software is not an objective in itself, but an essential factor for the success of any business. It ensures quality through clearly defined and effectively implemented processes, consistent traceability, and validation. At the same time, it contributes to cost reduction by minimizing errors, rework, and inefficient processes.

Structured methods also promote innovation, as they facilitate creative freedom without losing sight of the regulatory framework. Last but not least, holistic engineering enables greater sustainability by developing products that are more durable and resource-efficient.

Benefits for your projects in a nutshell

The key benefits:

  • Market advantage: shorter time-to-market through efficient development
  • Reliability: Highest product quality and safety
  • Cost efficiency: Clearly defined and implemented processes avoid duplication of work and reduce risks.
  • Transparency: Better traceability for customers, partners, and auditors