SYSE.16:1 - Problem Frame

Engineering choices—such as choices about System functions, architecture, interfaces, offerings, assurance, or change—depend on larger working situations. Teams nevertheless often begin with an inside representation, such as a product boundary, organization chart, component list, requirement set, or model repository. Outside Systems appear only as labels around a box.

The decision needs several selected structures: functional transformation and interaction, constructive parts and interfaces, direct relations across the selected boundary, operating conditions, and claims about what may change. One context diagram or tree cannot carry all of them.