Digital Engineering: A Systematic Literature Review of Strategies, Components, and Implementation Challenges

Digital Engineering (DE) is redefining systems engineering through data-driven methods, digital models, and integrated tools that support lifecycle decision-making. Since the release of the 2018 U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Digital Engineering Strategy, DE has gained traction across government, industry, and academia. This systematic literature review examines 56 peer-reviewed publications from 1995 to 2024 to synthesize current research on DE and assess its maturity as a discipline within systems engineering. The review is guided by five research questions focused on DE definitions, reported benefits, core components, implementation challenges, industry applications, and alignment with the five strategic goals of the DoD DE Strategy. The analysis reveals that while DE is widely discussed, its definitions and applications vary, and many studies lack detailed methodologies or implementation guidance. Furthermore, alignment with the DoD’s strategic goals is often implied but not explicitly addressed. Findings highlight the need for standardized frameworks, improved integration strategies, and evidence-based evaluation of DE effectiveness. This work contributes to systems engineering by identifying research gaps and offering a consolidated view of how DE is evolving across sectors. The insights are intended to inform practitioners, researchers, and policymakers as they implement and refine DE practices in complex system developments.