The application of a systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approach to transform a set of requirements representing the collection of stakeholder needs, expectations, and constraints using documented techniques and technology to design, implement, and maintain a tangible product. (See also "software engineering" and "systems engineering.")
In CMMI, hardware engineering represents all technical fields (e.g., electrical or mechanical) that transform requirements and ideas into tangible and producible products.

The person or persons who provide the policy and overall guidance for the process, but do not provide the direct day-to-day monitoring and controlling of the process. Such persons belong to a level of management in the organization above the immediate level responsible for the process and can be (but are not necessarily) senior managers. (See also "senior manager.")