Book excerpt: Systems Engineering is gaining importance in the high-tech industry with systems like digital single-lens reflex cameras, medical imaging scanners, and industrial production systems. Such systems require new methods that can handle uncertainty in the early phases of development, that systems engineering can provide. This book offers a toolbox approach by presenting the tools and illustrating their application with examples. This results in an emphasis on the design of systems, more than on analysis and classical systems engineering. The book is useful for those who need an introduction to system design and engineering, and those who work with system engineers, designers and architects.