What the study found
Digital engineering transformation is often hindered by sociotechnical barriers, not just technical ones. The study identifies people, technology, processes, culture, infrastructure, and goals as the main dimensions of these barriers.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say their mapping can help stakeholders in digital engineering transformation understand how barriers connect to policy goals. They suggest managers could use it as a diagnostic tool, policymakers could pair mandates with long-term support, and engineers could see digital engineering as collaboration rather than a threat to job security.
What the researchers tested
The researchers presented a structured synthesis based on the literature and sociotechnical systems theory. They organized challenges across the dimensions of people, technology, processes, culture, infrastructure, and goals, and mapped those barriers against the U.S. Department of Defense's digital engineering policy goals.
What worked and what didn't
The findings indicate that technological investments alone are insufficient for digital engineering transformation. The study says failures often stem from social factors such as workforce readiness, leadership support, and cultural alignment, and that barriers can cascade across multiple policy goals.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not report empirical testing of a specific intervention or implementation setting. It also does not provide detailed quantitative results in the available summary, so the scope is limited to the literature-based synthesis described by the authors.
Key points
- Digital engineering transformation is described as a sociotechnical challenge.
- The study groups barriers into people, technology, processes, culture, infrastructure, and goals.
- Workforce readiness, leadership support, and cultural alignment are identified as important social barriers.
- The authors say technological investment alone is not enough.
- Barriers may affect multiple policy goals at once, complicating accountability and prioritization.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Sociotechnical barriers hinder digital engineering transformation
- Authors:
- Md Doulotuzzaman Xames, Taylan G. Topcu
- Institutions:
- Virginia Tech
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels · Pexels License
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