System of Systems Engineering

NCSOSE work in system of systems (SOS) engineering (SOSE) has focused on defining a formal methodology for approaching SOS problems. Specific capabilities include:

  1. Applying the SOSE Methodology to SOS problems
  2. Framing SOS problem domains
  3. Designing unique methodologies for SOS problems
  4. Designing teams for SOSE problems
  5. Exploring and analyzing SOSE problems

We define a system of systems as a meta-system that has multiple functions provided by any number of sub-systems. SOS are normally:

  • Designed and acquired independently
  • Managed and funded independently
  • Geographically dispersed
  • Demonstrating emergent behavior
  • Exhibiting evolutionary development

A typical system-of-systems (SOS) is depicted as follows:

We have found that as complexity has increased, the ability of technology to dominate the solution space is diminished. We lack capabilities to effectively address multidisciplinary problems emerging in the 21st century.

In order to engage high complexity systems problems the hard technological perspective must be expanded to include a soft perspective that accounts for human, political, organizational, managerial and policy elements associated with the complex systems problem.

NCSOSE approaches complex system problems systemically. A high-level system of systems engineering (SOSE) methodology is the framework from which these problems are approached.

NCSOSE’s publicly available scholarly productivity associated with SOS/SOSE is provided below:

2016

  • Katina, P.F., Keating, C.B., and Bradley, J.M. (2016). “The Role of ‘Metasystem’ in Engineering a System of Systems,” In Proceedings of the 2016 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference, H. Yang, Z. Kong, and MD Sarder, eds. Anaheim, California, May 21-24, 2016

2014

  • Adams, K. M., Hester, P. T., Bradley, J. M., Meyers, T. J., and Keating, C. B. (2014). Systems theory as the foundation for understanding systems. Systems Engineering, 17(1), 112–123.
  • Calida, B. Y., & Keating, C. B. (2014). System governance: Emergence of practical perspectives across the disciplines. In A. V. Gheorghe, M. Masera, and P. F. Katina (Eds.), Infranomics (pp. 269–296). Geneva, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
  • Jaradat, R. M., and Keating, C. B. (2014). Fragility of oil as a critical infrastructure problem. International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 7(2), 86–99.
  • Jaradat, R. M., Keating, C. B., and Bradley, J. M. (2014). A histogram analysis for system of systems. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 5(3), 193–227.
  • Katina, P. F., Despotou, G., Calida, B. Y., Kholodkov, T., and Keating, C. B. (2014). Sustainability of systems of systems. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 5(2), 93–113.
  • Katina, P. F., & Keating, C. B. (2014). Metasystem pathologies: Towards a systems-based construct for complex system deficiencies. In S. Long, E.-H. Ng, and C. Downing (Eds.), Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Management 2014 International Annual Conference. Virginia Beach, VA: American Society for Engineering Management.
  • Katina, P. F., Keating, C. B., & Jaradat, R. M. (2014). System requirements engineering in complex situations. Requirements Engineering, 19(1), 45–62.
  • Keating, C. B. (2014). Governance implications for meeting challenges in the system of systems engineering field. In 2014 9th International Conference on System of Systems Engineering (SOSE) (pp. 154–159). Adelaide, Australia: IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SYSOSE
  • Keating, C. B., Katina, P. F., & Bradley, J. M. (2014). Complex system governance: Concept, challenges, and emerging research. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 5(3), 263–288.
  • Keating, C. B., Katina, P. F., & Bradley, J. M. (2014). Complex system governance: concept, challenges, and emerging research. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 5(3), 263–288. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSE.2014.065756

2012

  • Hester, P. T., & Keating, C. B. (2012). An Initial Perspective on Governing a System of Systems. In Proceedings from the 33rd ASEM 2012: “Agile Management: Embracing Change and Uncertainty in Engineering Management.” Virginia Beach, VA: American Society for Engineering Management, USA: ASEM.
  • Keating, C. B., & Katina, P. F. (2012). Prevalence of pathologies in systems of systems. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 3(3/4), 243–267.

2011

  • Jaradat, R.M. and Katina, P.F. (2011). A synthesis of definitions for system-of-systems engineering, In Proceedings of the 32nd ASEM International Annual Conference. Lubbock, Texas, October 21-33, 2011
  • Adams, K. M., and Keating, C. B. (2011). Overview of the system of systems engineering methodology. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2(2/3), 112–119. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSE.2011.040549
  • Keating, C. B., & Katina, P. F. (2011). Systems of systems engineering: Prospects and challenges for the emerging field. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2(2/3), 234–256. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSE.2011.040556
  • Keating, C. B. (2011). Perspective 2 of the SoSE methodology: Designing the unique methodology. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2(2), 208–225.
  • Keating, C. B. (2011). System Identity: Balancing Tensions in Governance. Presented at the Public Administration Theory Network Conference, Norfolk, VA.

2010

  • Hester, P. T., Keating, C. B., Meyers, T. J., and Calida, B. Y. (2010). The emerging role of R&D governance. In Proceedings from the 31st ASEM 2010: “Lean and Green: Building a Sustainable Future through Engineering Management.” Rogers, Arkansas: American Society for Engineering Management, USA: ASEM.
  • Keating, C. B., Calida, B. Y., Sousa-Poza, A. A., and Kovacic, S. F. (2010). Systems thinking. In D. Merino and J. Farr (Eds.), The Engineering Management Handbook (pp. 91–139). Huntsville, AL: ASEM Press.
  • Keating, C. B., Hester, P. T., Myers, T. J., and Adams, K. M. (2010). R&D system governance research: Relevance, foundations, value, and challenges for DHS S&T borders and maritime security division (No. No. NCSOSE Technical Report 003-2010). Norfolk: VA: National Centers for System of Systems Engineering.
  • Keating, C. B. (2010). Balancing structural tensions in complex systems. Presented at the Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Management, Fayetteville, Arkansas: ASEM Press.

2009

  • Keating, C. B., Rabadi, G., Landaeta, R. E., and Bowling, S. (2009). System of systems engineering for border security and immigration: methodologies, processes and tools. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 1(4), 414–444. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSE.2009.031349
  • Keating, C. B. (2009). Emergence in system of systems. In M. Jamshidi (Ed.), System of Systems Engineering (pp. 169–190). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • Keating, C. B., Hester, P., Kady, R., and Calida, B. (2009). R&D Governance: An Emerging Systems-based Paradigm for Public Sector R&D. In Proceedings from the 30th ASEM 2009: “Engineering Management: Celebrating the Past, Engineering the Future” (pp. 339–347). Springfield, Missouri: American Society for Engineering Management: ASEM

2008

  • Padilla, J. J., Logan, B., Sousa-Poza, A., and Keating, C. B. (2008). A system of systems engineering environment to deal with complex situations. In System of Systems Engineering, 2008. SoSE ’08. IEEE International Conference on (pp. 1–5).
  • Keating, C. B., Padilla, J. J., and Adams, K. M. (2008). System of systems engineering requirements: Challenges and guidelines. Engineering Management Journal, 20(4), 24–31.
  • Kovacic, S., Sousa-Poza, A., and Keating, C. B. (2008). Complex situations: An alternative approach for viewing a system of systems. In IEEE International Conference on System of Systems Engineering, 2008. SoSE ’08 (pp. 1–6). Singapore, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1109/SYSOSE.2008.4724167
  • Padilla, J. J., Logan, B., Sousa-Poza, A., and Keating, C. B. (2008). A system of systems engineering environment to deal with complex situations. In System of Systems Engineering, 2008. SoSE ’08. IEEE International Conference on (pp. 1–5).
  • Sousa-Poza, A. A., Kovacic, S., & Keating, C. B. (2008). System of systems engineering: An emerging multidiscipline. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 1(1/2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSE.2008.018129

2007

  • Kovacic, S., Sousa-Poza, A., and Keating, C. B. (2007). Type III: “The theory of the observer.” In System of Systems Engineering, 2007. SoSE ’07. IEEE International Conference on (pp. 1–6).
  • Kovacic, S. F., Sousa-Poza, A., and Keating, C. B. (2007). The National Centers for System of Systems Engineering: A case study on shifting the paradigm for system of systems. Systems Research Forum, 2(1), 52–59.

2005

  • Keating, C. B. (2005). Research foundations for system of systems engineering. In 2005 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics (Vol. 3, pp. 2720–2725). Waikoloa, Hawaii. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSMC.2005.1571561
  • Keating, C. B., Sousa-Poza, A. A., and Kovacic, S. (2005). Complex system transformation: A system of systems engineering (SoSE) perspective. In 26th ASEM National Conference (pp. 200–207). Virginia Beach, VA.

2004

  • Keating, C. B., Sousa-Poza, A. A., and Mun, J. (2004). System of systems engineering methodology. EMSE: Old Dominion University.

2003

  • Keating, C. B., Rogers, R., Unal, R., Dryer, D., Sousa-Poza, A. A., Safford, R., Peterson, W., and Rabadi, G. (2003). System of systems engineering. Engineering Management Journal, 15(3), 35-44.