Charles B. Keating

System of Systems Engineering

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System of systems engineering: an emerging multidiscipline

In this paper, we present System of Systems Engineering (SOSE) as a developing multidiscipline, spanning across and drawing from a variety of disciplines to address complex situations; situations are characterised by ambiguity, high uncertainty and emergence. This paper is organised to: (1) provide an assessment of the current state of SOSE field development, (2) suggest the nature of complex issues for which traditional approaches are falling short to include the corresponding challenges facing SOSE development, (3) describe two perspectives of the SOSE response to complex situations and (4) establish an emerging paradigm for SOSE as a multidiscipline based on current research. This paper concludes with the implications for further development of research and practice for SOSE.

Research foundations for system of systems engineering

System of systems engineering (SoSE) continues to evolve as a potentially promising response for analysis, design, and transformation of increasingly complex systems problems. The purpose of this paper is to establish critical foundations and offer a coherent framing for further research in SoSE. To achieve this purpose the paper is organized to: (1) introduce a contemporary perspective of SoSE, focused on identifying both convergence and divergence in the literature, (2) develop five logical levels that can help to understand divergence in SoSE and sharpen future research efforts, (3) articulate several of the critical research challenges that SoSE must address to be viable, and (4) identify a preliminary set of critical topical research areas for development of a more integrated research agenda for SoSE. The paper concludes with implications for close coupling of research and practice for the accelerated development of SoSE through an integrated research agenda.

Systems Theory as the Foundation for Understanding Systems

As currently used, systems theory is lacking a universally agreed upon definition. The purpose of this paper is to offer a resolution by articulating a formal definition of systems theory. This definition is presented as a unified group of specific propositions which are brought together by way of an axiom set to form a system construct: systems theory. This construct affords systems practitioners and theoreticians with a prescriptive set of axioms by which a system must operate; conversely, any set of entities identified as a system may be characterized by this set of axioms. Given its multidisciplinary theoretical foundation and discipline-agnostic framework, systems theory, as it is presented here, is posited as a general approach to understanding system behavior.

System requirements engineering in complex situations

The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative systems thinking–based perspective and approach to the requirements elicitation process in complex situations. Three broad challenges associated with the requirements engineering elicitation in complex situations are explored, including the (1) role of the system observer, (2) nature of system requirements in complex situations, and (3) influence of the system environment. Authors have asserted that the expectation of unambiguous, consistent, complete, understandable, verifiable, traceable, and modifiable requirements is not consistent with complex situations. In contrast, complex situations are an emerging design reality for requirements engineering processes, marked by high levels of ambiguity, uncertainty, and emergence. This paper develops the argument that dealing with requirements for complex situations requires a change in paradigm. The elicitation of requirements for simple and technically driven systems is appropriately accomplished by proven methods. In contrast, the elicitation of requirements in complex situations (e.g., integrated multiple critical infrastructures, system-of-systems, etc.) requires more holistic thinking and can be enhanced by grounding in systems theory.

System of Systems Engineering Requirements: Challenges and Guidelines

Abstract: Traditional systems engineering (SE) has been successful in developing requirements that are objective, verifiable, and definitive. These requirements are chiefly related to technical or technological issues necessary to achieve a desired level of system performance. In contrast, System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) engages a more complex and holistic problem space, including organizational, managerial, policy, human/social, and political dimensions that exist in conditions of emergence, ambiguity, and uncertainty; therefore, the traditional SE requirements paradigm must be called into question. At present, the SoSE requirements paradigm has not reached the level of maturity or sophistication experienced by traditional SE. It is a miscalculation to expect successful approaches for SE requirements development to enjoy the same level of success when applied directly to the SoSE problem domain. The purpose of this article is to explore the nature of requirements from an SoSE perspective. First, the article establishes a foundation for differences between the SE and SoSE problem domains. Second, the traditional SE paradigm governing requirements is developed. Third, the specific nature of the SoSE problem domain implications for requirements is established. Fourth, guidelines for requirements within SoSE efforts are provided. The article concludes with key implications for the development and use of requirements in the SoSE field by practitioners.

Systems of systems engineering: prospects and challenges for the emerging field

System of systems engineering (SoSE) is a field that remains in the embryonic stages of development. The work presented in this volume provides a methodological approach, grounded in foundations of systems theory, to perform SoSE. However, further development of the field must be predicated on understanding critical distinctions emerging and bring focus to the challenges and prospects for further development. The purpose of this paper is to develop a perspective of the state of the SoSE field and identify challenges for future evolution. To achieve this purpose, the paper is organised to explore four primary areas. First, the literature is reviewed to provide an account of the current state of the field. Second, an organising framework is presented to structure understanding of field development. Third, a set of challenges to forward movement of the field is offered. Fourth, the paper concludes with reflections on the SoSE methodology presented in this volume and implications for further development of th...

Development of high performance organizational learning units

Establishes our perspective for shared organizational learning processes, cycles, and systems. These learning phenomena are usually tacit, i.e. the organization is only dimly aware of them. These tacit phenomena drive both decision and action and, because they are tacit, they are self‐organizing and are normally not analysed. In order to develop effective learning systems, the organization must explicitly articulate and design these learning processes, cycles, and systems. The “learning unit” is introduced as the essential element where learning development must focus for improved organizational performance. Begins to develop the implications of this perspective for organization theory, organizational practice, and the art of management. Organizational learning can drive organizational transformation if these phenomena are properly planned, designed, and facilitated.

A systems‐based methodology for structural analysis of health care operations

This paper introduces a systems-based methodology for conducting analysis of organizational structure for health care operations. Increasingly, health care organizations must operate in turbulent environments characterized by rapid change, high levels of uncertainty, and increasing levels of complexity. A fundamental issue for effective-performance in these environments is the development and maintenance of organizational structures that simultaneously provide both operational stability and agile response to environmental turbulence. Drawing from systems science, a systems-based methodology for structural analysis of healthcare operations is developed. This methodology identifies operational deficiencies stemming from inadequate organizational structure and suggests focal areas for structural modification. The results from an application of the methodology in a health care organization are examined. Implications and limitations for use of the methodology by health care professionals are provided.

A framework for systemic analysis of complex issues

This paper introduces a systems‐based framework to facilitate structured analysis of complex issues. The framework was created out of a management development effort with the primary emphasis on development of systems problem‐solving skills through analysis of complex operational issues. Drawing from systems science, the strength of the approach rests inthe holistic analysis of structure, relationships, and emergent dynamics of problematic situations. The fundamental systems principles underpinning the approach are developed to provide an essential “systems background” as a foundation for the framework. The utility of the framework is discussed with respect toresults from an application in an organizational setting. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications and limitations of the framework for development of systemic thinking and complex problem analysis.