Polinpapilinho F. Katina

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.

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...

Prevalence of pathologies in systems of systems

As system of systems engineering (SoSE) continues to mature and evolve as a field, there is a natural search for transcending themes and perspectives. The confluence of these themes and perspectives will serve to both distinguish as well as integrate the field. The purpose of this paper is to suggest advancement of the SoSE field by offering an emerging set of common systems-based pathologies that may be prevalent in systems of systems. These pathologies are explored as deviations from the healthy functioning of an effective system of systems, potentially constraining performance, wasting resources, and reducing the level of system viability (sustaining existence). Upon recognising these pathologies, implications for utilising systems theory-based principles to aid in understanding their manifestation, systemic assessment, and strategies for system redesign to address the pathologies are explored. This paper concludes with implications and further development of research and practice related to pathologies in the developing SoSE field.

Interdependency-induced risk with applications to healthcare

Abstract Developing effective protection, mitigation and recovery measures for critical infrastructures is paramount in the wake of increasing natural and human-initiated hazards, risks and threats. Influencing these measures are interconnections (i.e., interdependencies) among infrastructure systems. Understanding the nature of system interdependencies can play an essential role in minimizing and/or reducing the probabilities and consequences of cascading failures in interdependent systems. This paper discusses the need for policy-makers, infrastructure operators and researchers to consider alternative approaches to formulating risk and enabling solutions to challenging 21st century issues related to interdependent infrastructures. Using the healthcare sector as an example, this paper suggests that identifying the risks associated with maintaining public health goes beyond traditional risk formulation to include the structural complexity brought about by infrastructure interdependencies.

Complex system governance: concept, challenges, and emerging research

The purpose of this paper is to explore an emerging paradigm and implications for complex system governance. Although ‘governance’ has been taken as a ‘good thing’, we seek more rigorous development of governance as a multidisciplinary construct. Following an introduction to the complex system problem domain three primary objectives are pursued. First, three fields, governance, management cybernetics, and systems theory are examined for contributions to the emerging complex system governance field. Second, an emerging paradigm for complex system governance is developed. This developmental paradigm establishes a preliminary basis for complex system governance. Third, a set of implications for research and development is suggested to accelerate advancement of the complex system governance field. Emphasis is placed on the potential that this field offers for practitioners who must deal with the increasingly complex systems and their constituent problems. The paper concludes with research challenges to push the emerging field forward.

Regional industries as critical infrastructures: a tale of two modern cities

The research state-of-the-art mentions critical infrastructures (CI) in the same breath as studies about cataclysmic threats, events instantiated by a terrorist or cyber-attack, and/or a natural disaster. This paper suggests that a threat to CI may also result from slowly evolving, gradual, and undetectable events that build up over time. Entire regional industries and their associated networks exhibit punctuated equilibria-type phenomena. Embedded within regional economies and operating as a system-of-system (SoS), regional industries are CI that exhibit gradual evolutionary changes. This paper examines: a) the automotive industry and its impact to the City of Detroit, Michigan; b) the heavy defence/military-contractor industry in the Hampton Roads (Virginia). The paper concludes that a reorientation of CI research to include slow evolving events is necessary with calls for new investment in management, planning, and monitoring approaches that can deal with slow and evolving threat events.

Critical Infrastructures: Risk and Vulnerability Assessment in Transportation of Dangerous Goods

This book addresses a key issue in todays society: the safer transport of dangerous goods, taking into account people, the environment and economics. In particular, it offers a potential approach to identifying the issues, developing the models, providing the methods and recommending the tools to address the risks and vulnerabilities involved. We believe this can only be achieved by assessing those risks in a comprehensive, quantifiable and integrated manner. Examining both rail and road transportation, the book is divided into three sections, covering: the mature and accepted (by both academia and practitioners) methodology of risk assessment; the vulnerability assessment a novel approach proposed as a vital complement to risk; guidance and support to build the tools that make methods and equations to yield: the Decision Support Systems. Throughout the book, the authors do not endeavor to provide THE solution. Instead, the book offers insightful food for thought for students, researchers, practitioners and policymakers alike.

Sustainability of systems of systems

The purpose of this paper is to synthesise multiple worldviews of system of systems and introduce sustainability as a prerequisite for the development of the field. Fundamentally, systems of systems provide significantly greater capability than constituent systems. The enhanced capability is achieved through coordination and integration of complex systems. This research fosters sustainability to support enhanced capabilities in systems of systems. First, we establish sustainability in the context of system of systems characterisations. Second, the system of systems problem landscape and challenges is discussed in relation to sustainability. Third, the need for sustainability is transposed to three diverging perspectives in systems of systems. Fourth, two industrial cases are used to illustrate the need for sustainability. Fifth, we introduce an organising construct within which systems of systems might be developed to address sustainability and viability. The paper concludes with implications and directions for further research for sustainability in system of systems.

Systems Theory as a Foundation for Discovery of Pathologies for Complex System Problem Formulation

This chapter articulates a set of systems theory-based pathologies that act to limit performance of complex systems. In response to the common mantra that problem formulation is the most important activity in successfully dealing with complex system problems, this research elaborates on the utility of systems theory as the basis for problem formulation through the discovery of system pathologies. Pathologies are taken as circumstances that act to limit system performance or lessen system viability (continued existence) and as such they reduce the likelihood of a system meeting performance expectations. As an extension of contemporary developments in systems theory, this chapter is focused on three primary objectives. First, systems theory is examined to generate a comprehensive set of 45 principles, laws and concepts that explain system behavior and performance. Second, a set of systems theory-based pathologies that can be explained as deviation in application of systems theory (i.e., lack of use or violation) are articulated. Third, the chapter discusses implications of the developed pathologies for practitioners faced with the task of formulating complex system problems. The chapter concludes with proposed future research.

Emerging systems theory–based pathologies for governance of complex systems

The purpose of this paper is to develop a systems theory–based construct for pathologies within the context of complex system problem formulation. Problem formulation is arguably one of the most critical phases of any endeavour to improve systems. However, there is relatively little research utilising systems theory during problem formulation. A possible extension of the systems research is the introduction of systems theory (i.e., laws, principles and concepts) as a foundation for exploration, innovation, transformation, evaluation and evolution of complex systems. Specifically, this paper is concerned with how we might use systems theory to articulate pathologies - circumstances, conditions, factors, patterns and/or issues acting to impede system performance. The paper examines the importance of problem formulation for issues related to complex systems. A multidisciplinary literature review is then provided to synthesise insights on pathologies. A systems theory–based construct for pathologies is then developed. Finally, the paper provides implications for the systems theory–based pathologies construct related to complex system governance. The paper concludes with possible future research directions.