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Independent Consultant for R&D Architecture & Systems Engineering
Applying Goffman’s Dramaturgical Analysis to Overcome Simplistic Enterprise Change in Systems Engineering
Bio.
Alexander Efremov is an independent executive systems architect, consultant, and the founder of Efremov Systems, a boutique systems engineering practice based in Germany. He holds the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) qualification from INCOSE and the SE-Zert Level A credential from the German Chapter of INCOSE (GfSE), and is a formally recognised engineer in Germany.
With extensive experience in systems architecture and engineering governance, Alexander specialises in helping R&D executives, Chief Engineers, and enterprise teams navigate complex transformations. His advisory work focuses on turning heavyweight methodology into actionable business capability—bridging Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) enablement, end-to-end lifecycle harmonisation (ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, ISO 24748), and strategic decision-making in high-stakes environments.Alexander’s approach is rooted in the conviction that technical architecture cannot be decoupled from organisational reality. By applying socio-technical principles, Conway’s law, and the dynamics of human collaboration, he guides organisations to eliminate both technical and innovation debt. His work ensures that enterprises architect not only the product (System-of-Interest), but also the organisational interfaces and governance structures (Enabling Systems) required to sustain long-term engineering excellence.An active contributor to the international systems engineering community, Alexander participates in INCOSE and GfSE initiatives, develops decision-making frameworks, mentors engineering professionals stepping into leadership roles, and speaks regularly across Europe on systems thinking, architecture, and the human interface of engineering.
Abstract.
Why do large-scale enterprise transformations fail, and why are failures so often misdiagnosed as mere “employee resistance” or “poor management readiness”? This presentation addresses the gap in Systems Engineering regarding the structural modelling of human-intensive socio-technical systems.We propose bridging this gap by integrating Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis into systems architecture. Using a formalised Entity-Relationship (ER) diagram as a boundary object, we translate sociological concepts—such as Front Stage compliance, Back Stage reality, and Team Collusion—into practical engineering abstractions.Drawing on retrospective case studies from industrial enterprise transformations, we demonstrate how this sociological lens decodes hidden organizational dynamics. Attendees will gain actionable insights into moving beyond blame attribution towards designing robust decision premises and governance interfaces that match true socio-technical complexity.