Raed M. Jaradat

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.

Fragility of oil as a critical infrastructure problem

Abstract Interdependences between critical infrastructures are becoming increasingly apparent. The 21st century has been defined by events that have changed perceptions about critical infrastructures and their fragility in the face of the inherent risks and vulnerabilities. A major critical infrastructure is the energy sector, of which oil is an important component. This paper explores the systemic interrelationships between oil and other infrastructures and the implications for future design, analysis and development of oil systems within the energy critical infrastructure. The paper argues that the relationships between oil and other elements of the critical infrastructure have significant implications for the structure of the oil industry due to increasing interdependence. Understanding how to manage the new oil industry structure is an emerging issue that can be examined from a systems view. Whether oil is in its crude or refined form, its value cannot be minimized due to its numerous applications and global importance as an energy source. However, oil and its derivatives do not exist as an independent infrastructure and cannot be considered in isolation from other critical infrastructures. Indeed, oil is inextricably interconnected to other forms of energy and other infrastructures. These interconnections introduce increased risks and vulnerabilities. The conclusion is that oil is – for the foreseeable future – critical to the wellbeing of society. It is a fragile interdependent component of the energy sector and, regardless of political proclivities and the desire for alternative forms of energy, oil must be viewed as a primary energy asset of the fossil-fuel-based global economy.

A histogram analysis for system of systems

The problems stemming from increasing complexity continue to confound our capabilities to deal with systems. In response, many large organisations seek to integrate their existing systems to work together to accomplish capabilities that cannot be achieved by the constituent systems. The integration of these systems is often referred to as a system of systems (SoS). While much has been written about SoS and their associated phenomena, we have not found sufficient exploration to answer some of our most basic questions: where did this concept came from? And when, or has, the peak of the SoS development movement been reached? To answer these questions, this paper has constructed a histogram analysis to trace the history of SoS from 1926–2011. Five hundred different sources have been included in the analysis in an attempt to give a glimpse into the development of the SoS field through the frequency of publications.

Complex system governance requires systems thinking - how to find systems thinkers

Systems thinking offers a particularly useful worldview for dealing with increasing complexities faced by individuals. This paper explores the nature, assessment, and implications that systems thinking holds for individuals challenged by the shifting landscape of modern complex system governance. Following an introduction that identifies the main attributes of complex systems faced by individuals who engage in governance activities, three major themes are developed: 1) exploration of the concept of systems thinking; 2) suggestion of how enhanced systems thinking can increase the capability of individuals to more effectively design for system governance; 3) a strategic framework and initial findings for application of an instrument for assessment of the level of systems thinking for an individual. Systems thinking is suggested as a critical capability for individuals who must design, analyse, and transform complex system governance and address its derivative problems. Effectiveness in systems thinking is a critical skill for addressing some of the most vexing problems of the 21st century. This paper summarises the findings of a systems thinking instrument developed to identify the systems skills individuals need to engage complex system governance. The paper concludes with future research and application of the systems thinking instrument to better understand complex system governance.

A three-phase framework for elicitation of infrastructure requirements

Many of the current traditional system engineering (TSE) approaches for elicitation of requirements are insufficient when deployed in complex situations. TSE approach to requirement elicitation is based on assumption of stable environmental conditions. However, the elicitation of requirements for complex systems (i.e., interdependent critical infrastructures) requires innovative approaches that should go beyond technical aspects of a situation. Complex situations arise when multiple complex infrastructures interdependently interact to provide goods and services for public health and safety. The elicitation of requirements for such a system must consider the nature of system of interest, its environment and system observer. On this backdrop, this paper reviews complexity associated with attained requirements for complex infrastructures, failures and provides an overview of a proposed high-level framework for infrastructure requirement elicitation.

Development of a framework to evaluate human risk in a complex problem domain

Although there are various techniques such as cost-benefit analysis that risk managers can use to place a monetary value on human life, these techniques have met with only varying levels of success even when applied to problems that have direct relationships among entities. Furthermore, these techniques have not enjoyed even this level of success when applied to problems that have ambiguous, uncertain and dynamic relationships among the entities. This paper proposes a three-phased framework that will attempt to guide decision makers beyond traditional thinking toward a more systemic (holistic) perspective to addressing human risk. The correct implementation of this emerging framework can help risk managers to: 1) better understand the nature of complex systems problems; 2) gain additional knowledge with which to assess human risks; 3) shift away from the traditional way of thinking and toward applying a holistic perspective based on systems theory in conjunction with systems thinking.

The Complementary Perspective of System of Systems in Collaboration, Integration, and Logistics: A Value-Chain Based Paradigm of Supply Chain Management

The importance and complexity of the problems associated with coordinating multiple organizations to configure value propositions for customers has drawn the attention of multiple disciplines. In an effort to clarify and consolidate terms, this conceptual research examines both supply chain management (SCM) and system of systems (SoS) literature to postulate, from a value-chain perspective, what roles integration and collaboration play in helping supply chains satisfy customer requirements. A literature review analysis was used to identify the commonalities and differences between supply chain management and system of systems approaches to examining interfirm coordination of value creation efforts. Although a framework of integration and collaboration roles in value creation is proposed, further empirical testing of the concept is required to substantiate initial conclusions. The concepts proposed may help clarify where strategic and operational managers need to focus their efforts in coordinating supply chain member firms. The incorporation of SoS engineering into the supply chain field will draw the linkage between the constituent principles, and concepts of Systems Theory as appropriate for the supply chain management field. This is the first effort to reconcile two separate but parallel scholarship streams examining the coordination of multiple organizations in value creation. This research shows that there are some methodologies, principles, and methods from the SoS field that can supplement supply chain management research. Mainly due to a unit of analysis issue, systems based approaches have not been in the mainstream of supply chain management field development.

A Collective Reflection on the Ph.D. Student's Journey: Shades of Technicism and Epistemic Pluralism

This essay is a reflection on the three authors’ collective PAT-Net experience. Their perspective as Ph.D. students is unique in that they had to balance a plethora of diverse roles while involved in conference planning and preparing to be conference participants. The authors’ perspective is further enriched by the fact that they come from different, disjointed disciplines. Perhaps most noteworthy in their combined conference experience was the presentation of the ideas of technicism and epistemic pluralism, which they recognized could be pertinent and useful in engaging a growing list of disciplines that share a common interest in contemporary governance.