Marcel van de Ven

CSEP INCOSE-certified Systems Engineer

An overview of the Application Guide for Systems Engineering in Large Infrastructural Projects.

Bio:

Marcel van de Ven is a CSEP INCOSE-certified Systems Engineer.He holds the position of Senior Systems Engineering Consultant at Heijmans in the Netherlands.In his daily work, he advises major projects in the areas of risk management, general process management, contract management, requirements management, and Verification & Validation (V&V).He has also developed the tools that support employees working on large, complex projects in carrying out these activities.For INCOSE, Marcel serves as Chair of the Dutch MBSE Working Group and Co-Chair of the Dutch Civil Engineering and Infrastructure SIG.Internationally, he is Co-Chair of the Smart Cities Working Group, Chair of the Infrastructure Working Group, and Co-Chair of the Transportation Working Group.In addition, he is a member of the Critical Infrastructure Working Group and the Risk Management Working Group.He is involved in INCOSE Technical Operations to promote collaboration between working groups.In a previous role, Marcel worked as a systems engineer on the design, construction, and commissioning of the Dutch freight railway line, the Betuweroute, and on the renovation of the largest tunnel in the Netherlands, the Westerschelde Tunnel. He has more than 20 years of experience in major infrastructure projects.Marcel is co-author of the INCOSE publication Systems Engineering in Large Infrastructural Projects and of the Infrastructure section in the INCOSE Handbook v5.

Abstract:

The presentation provides an overview of the INCOSE Application Guide for Systems Engineering in the Infrastructure Domain and explains how Systems Engineering (SE) can be effectively adapted to the realities of large infrastructure projects.  The presentation is organized into four parts: the purpose and context of the guide, the application of SE throughout the infrastructure life cycle, the cross-cutting SE processes that support technical integrity, and examples from Dutch practice.  The presentation highlights how SE provides continuity across the entire infrastructure life cycle, from long-range planning and project definition through design, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and eventual retirement. Throughout these phases, traceability between stakeholder needs, requirements, design decisions, verification activities, and operational performance is essential.  The presentation also addresses the relationships between systems engineering, project management, quality management, risk management, asset management, and regulatory compliance. It emphasizes that successful infrastructure delivery depends on balancing technical performance, cost, schedule, safety, sustainability, resilience, and long-term operational effectiveness.