ICD MBSE Knowledge Circle at Philips: practical insights and knowledge sharing in Systems Engineering

On Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Philips a well-attended Knowledge Circle session on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) took place. The meeting was organized by ICD as part of the Knowledge Circles.

The session brought together engineers, systems architects and technology professionals working on modern forms of systems engineering. A total of 29 professionals participated. This created an interactive setting with plenty of room for substantive discussion.

Practical application of MBSE at Philips

The afternoon began with a presentation by René van der Woude (Philips). He gave a clear practical perspective on the application of MBSE within an industrial environment.

First, he showed how traceability within MBSE helps organizations keep complex systems manageable. He then demonstrated live how different systems and tools can be linked together. This makes processes such as requirements engineering and system development more efficient and controllable.

In addition, he explained how MBSE was used in the development and documentation of Philips IPL devices. Specifically, this led to:

• Better consistency in system design
• Improved requirements management
• More efficient engineering processes

This highlighted how MBSE adds direct value within high-tech product development.

Foundations of Systems Engineering and MBSE with ASTRON

The second part of the session was provided by Baudouin Hut (ASTRON). He discussed the basics of Systems Engineering and the role of Model-Based Systems Engineering in it.

First, he explained how MBSE helps manage complex systems and long logistics chains. This allows for better alignment between teams and across different lifecycle phases.

In contrast, he contrasted the limitations of traditional, document-driven systems engineering. Consider:

• Lack of traceability
• Difficult change management
• Limited grip on complexity

An interactive discussion then ensued. Participants explored how MBSE approaches could be applied within their own organizations. Themes such as collaboration, decision-making and digital integration were highlighted.

Active discussions and positive evaluation

At the end of the meeting, there was room for open discussion. Participants exchanged experiences about implementing MBSE in their own work environment.

The engagement was great. Moreover, feedback was very positive. Participants especially appreciated:

• The practical approach
• The direct link to industrial applications
• The opportunity to learn from experts in the field

Many attendees indicated they were looking forward to future knowledge sessions.

Looking ahead: knowledge sharing within ICD Knowledge Circles

With this successful MBSE session, ICD and the Knowledge Circles underscore the importance of structural knowledge sharing within Systems Engineering.

Given the strong interest, new meetings around MBSE, digital engineering and systems architecture are underway.

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