Systems Engineering and Lawmaking

Systems Engineering and Lawmaking (SELAW)

Welcome to the SELAW WG!

Who is SELAW?

The INCOSE SELAW WG was established to apply proven systems engineering principles to the lawmaking process. INCOSE Vision 2035 emphasizes the importance of applying systems engineering beyond traditional technical domains, including social, economic, and policy-driven areas. The vision acknowledges that complex societal challenges - such as healthcare, lawmaking, sustainability, and governance - require systems thinking and engineering approaches to achieve effective solutions. SELAW is a bold application of SE to the incredibly important domain of law.

Please join us in shaping the future of lawmaking with systems engineering!

Mission & Problem Statement

MISSION:

SELAW's mission is to help governments effectively address societal challenges through a well-structured lawmaking process. Systems engineering has consistently improved quality and consistency across various fields, including aviation, energy, and manufacturing. Why not apply the same disciplined approach to lawmaking?

PROBLEM:

While many laws are successful, the lawmaking process lacks consistency, often resulting in poorly designed laws that lead to ineffectiveness, duplication, obsolescence, and waste. SELAW is committed to bringing disciplined systems engineering principles to lawmaking, to improve clarity, efficiency, and long-term effectiveness.

Goals & Work Products

The SELAW WG's primary goal is the creation and publication of a law design manual based upon systems engineering standards.

The law design manual sections and topics shall include the following:

Defects and omissions in traditional lawmaking
Law design standards based on systems engineering principles, specifically, the IEEE-15288.
Models for

Sanctions (fine, tax, tariff, subsidy, licensure, etc.) to achieve the desired outcome
Comprehensive cost of the law (cost-benefit model)
Risk-assessment for laws

Standards for periodic follow-up evaluation and validation of existing laws
Credentials for designers (drafters) of law-design

Planned Working Sessions & Presentations

The Systems Engineering of Lawmaking WG meets every third Thursday of the month at 6 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) via web conference. If you would like to join us, please join the WG and/or contact the Chair or a Co-Chair for the URL. The URL for the web conference will also be posted on our Yammer WG page. Thank you!

Presentation material will vary by month - please contact us for the meeting agenda.

Leadership

Chair:
Greg Bulla, [email protected]

Co-Chair and Visionary:
David Schrunk, [email protected]

Co-Chair:
Mitchell Seime, [email protected]

Events

Find out more by visiting the SE Law Working Group Yammer community today!