User as the System Core: Evolution of the User-Aligned Systems Engineering Framework

Efficiency, convenience, and safety are the standard promises of modern engineered systems. However, the execution often fails to match this vision, leading to a disconnect where users become skeptical, frustrated, or simply unwilling to adopt the technology in their daily lives. To bridge this gap between technical potential and user reality, this paper proposes the User-Aligned Systems Engineering Framework (UASEF). While the framework is deeply rooted in the complexities of smart home research, its core principles are designed to be universally applicable, reorienting the engineering process to place the human element at the centre. UASEF mandates a structure built around a central core of security and trust by design, revolving through six iterative phases, moving beyond basic functionality to prioritize deep stakeholder analysis, transparent architecture, and critical factors like cost, accessibility, and embedded security. By deconstructing specific friction points such as usability barriers and privacy concerns, this study demonstrates that the design principles required for a smart home are actually vital for any complex system. Ultimately, UASEF provides developers with actionable guidance to create technology that is not merely functional, but inherently secure, intuitive, and capable of earning long-term user confidence.