Asee peer logo

Using Agile Curriculum Development to Design a Systems Engineering Program Curriculum

Download Paper |

Conference

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Location

Arlington, TX, Texas

Publication Date

March 9, 2025

Start Date

March 9, 2025

End Date

March 11, 2025

Page Count

9

DOI

10.18260/1-2--55086

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/55086

Download Count

17

Paper Authors

biography

Paul J Componation The University of Texas at Arlington

visit author page

Paul J. Componation is the Associate Dean for Graduate and Interdisciplinary Affairs in the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.

visit author page

Download Paper |

Abstract

In recent years, the rapidly evolving nature of technology and the increasing complexity of engineering systems have highlighted the need for educational programs that are adaptable and responsive to change. This paper explores the application of Agile curriculum development methodologies to the design and delivery of a Systems Engineering program. Agile, traditionally used in software development, emphasizes flexibility, iterative progress, and stakeholder collaboration, making it an ideal framework for creating a curriculum that can continuously evolve to meet industry demands. A team of industry, government, and academic professionals will meet using Agile curriculum design to develop a systems engineering program that meets stakeholder needs. Academic institutions have not always been agile enough to change and adapt academic programs to meet the changing needs of industry. Industry has often had to develop internal training programs because there is no academic option to provide their employees with needed skills. Agile development uses rapid development by working with all stakeholders continuously through the development process, stresses simplicity, and invites change. By incorporating Agile principles and stakeholder involvement, an Agile-driven Systems Engineering curriculum can be better aligned with the dynamic needs of both students and employers. The paper presents a case study of an Agile-based curriculum design process, discusses the challenges and benefits of implementing such an approach, and proposes a roadmap for other institutions considering similar transitions. Ultimately, the adoption of Agile methods in curriculum development aims to produce more agile, adaptive, and industry-ready systems engineering engineers.

Componation, P. J. (2025, March), Using Agile Curriculum Development to Design a Systems Engineering Program Curriculum Paper presented at 2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference, Arlington, TX, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--55086

ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2025 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015