Systems Engineering (SE), Digital Engineering (DE) and Mission Engineering (ME) are three distinct approaches to designing and developing complicated systems. We are just now seeing the three approaches starting to be employed simultaneously. They are mutually supportive and when used together, can dramatically shorten development schedules and shorten timelines. Intuitively, I believe 1+1=1+5. But I want to quantify the result. Are there any close parallels in other industries, where I can use an existing formula that takes into consideration how many areas of mutual support exist, how much time and money is saved by each engineering approach operating alone, etc. I have reviewed 20 years of research involving financial synergy in business mergers and acquisitions and the medical synergy of combining different drugs and the combined effects that can be achieved. But neither of these seems to be a close parallel to my engineering-triad challenge.

Has anyone studied this? If not, is there parallel research that I can draw from? I want to write a paper on this topic. Thanks, in advance.