Systems Geometry: A Methodology For Analyzing Emergent System Of Systems Behaviors (original) (raw)

Recent advancements in technology have led to the increased use of integrated 'systems of systems' (SoS) which link together independently developed and usable capabilities into an integrated system that exhibits new, emergent capabilities. However, the resulting SoS is often not well understood, where secondary and tertiary effects of tying systems together are often unpredictable and present severe consequences. The complexities of the composed system stem not only from system integration, but from a broad range of areas such as the competing objectives of different constituent system stakeholders, mismatched requirements from multiple process models, and architectures and interface approaches that are incompatible on multiple levels. While successful SoS development has proven to be a valuable tool for a wide range of applications, there are significant problems that remain with the development of such systems that need to be addressed during the early stages of engineering development within such environments. The purpose of this research is to define and demonstrate a methodology called Systems Geometry (SG) for analyzing SoS in the early stages of development to identify areas of potential unintended emergent behaviors as candidates for the employment of risk management strategies. SG focuses on three dimensions of interest when planning the development of a SoS: operational, functional, and technical. For Department of Defense (DoD) SoS, the operational dimension addresses the warfighter environment and includes characteristics such as mission threads and related command and control or simulation activities required to support the mission. The functional dimension highlights different roles associated with the development and use of the SoS, which could include a participant warfighter using the system, an analyst collecting data iv for system evaluation, or an infrastructure engineer working to keep the SoS infrastructure operational to support the users. Each dimension can be analyzed to understand roles, interfaces and activities. Cross-dimensional effects are of particular interest since such effects are less detectable and generally not addressed with conventional systems engineering (SE) methods. The literature review and the results of this study have identified key characteristics or dimensions that should be examined during SoS analysis and design. Although many methods exist for exploring system dimensions, there is a gap in techniques to explore cross-dimensional interactions and their effect on emergent SoS behaviors. The study has resulted in a methodology for capturing dimensional information and recommended analytical methods for intra-dimensional as well as cross-dimensional analysis. A problem-based approach to the system analysis is recommended combined with the application of matrix methods, network analysis and modeling techniques to provide intra-and cross-dimensional insight. The results of this research are applicable to a variety of socio-technical SoS analyses with applications in analysis, experimentation, test and evaluation and training. v This dissertation is dedicated to my late mother, Arnolda Clara Mannie, who taught me that it is never too late in life to reinvent yourself. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Anyone who has walked this path understands that such an endeavor is not possible without the generous support of a number of individuals. I would like to acknowledge the members of my doctoral committee, Dr.Waldemar Karwowski, Dr. Petros Xanthopoulos, and Dr. Naim Kapucu for all their support throughout the dissertation process at the University of Central Florida. A special thanks to Dr. David Pratt who provided helpful feedback on my research and writing along with friendly encouragement and advice during the more challenging moments in my dissertation development. I would like to express a special acknowledgment to my major professor, Dr. Jose Sepulveda, for his patient guidance while providing space for my intellectual "wandering through the wilderness" and for joining me on my path of academic discovery. To my daughters, Carolyn and Jamie, for their support while their mom spent many nights and weekends studying and researching. And lastly, to my partner in life who has always encouraged me to follow my dream to finish my Ph.D. and held me together when it looked like it would fall apart, to James Bouwens, my husband and best friend. vii