The term “Systems Engineering” encompasses a large number of ‘engineering’ tools and processes that all can provide benefit to a program, if used properly at the right time. The objective of this paper is to describe how to navigate the elements of designing the various Systems Engineering tools and process for the scope of the project. Some organizations/individuals can over-use systems engineering tools, to the detriment of project overhead; while others under use the tools at the expense of project quality. There are a few basic tools that can help to justify the magnitude and use of the project.