From Generic to Specific: Scalable Role Modeling for Engineering Advanced Systems

As technical systems grow in complexity, engineering organizations require clearly defined roles that align technical, organizational, and interdisciplinary demands. This paper presents a scalable method for developing companyspecific role models in the context of Advanced Systems Engineering (ASE). The approach combines generic role profiles with organization-specific process evaluations and stakeholder inputs. It includes a systematic assessment of relevance, effort, and complexity, followed by hierarchical clustering using the Ward method to derive consistent and adaptable role bundles. The method was applied in three industrial case studies and demonstrated in detail at a large electrical appliance manufacturer. Results show increased clarity of responsibilities, identification of role gaps, and high stakeholder acceptance. While the method is flexible and participatory, limitations include subjectivity in workshopbased data, the exclusive use of one clustering algorithm, and the need for further validation in regulated industries. The proposed model provides a practical foundation for role-based organizational development in complex engineering environments.