Typology dimensions for classifying SoSE problem spaces

Abstract

The existence of structured approaches and associated methods, processes and tools that enable mainstream practitioners to tackle problems once reserved for experts is an indicator of discipline maturity. Numerous System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) approaches have been developed and trialed across the globe, however they vary considerably depending on the SoS problem to be addressed and its system context. Variability arises from many problem context aspects such as the fundamental type of the SoS of interest (virtual through to directed), the scale of activity to be addressed by the SoS (platform through to global socio-technical system), SoS lifespan (transitory through to enduring), and the SoS complexity level. Each of these aspects and their associated scales can be considered descriptive dimensions of the SoS problem space. Many typologies or groupings of such dimensions have been developed over the years to assist in understanding specific systems and SoS problems. This paper attempts to bring together a number of these typologies to produce a new SoS problem space classifier specifically designed to inform SoSE methodology selection and tailoring. The initial discussion focuses on understanding and identifying the elements within the SoS problem context. This is followed by a review of the key systems, complex systems, and SoS typologies that have been developed over the years to identify salient SoS classification dimensions. These are presented along with some indicative scales which together constitute a new synthesis of SoS classification dimensions. The paper concludes with a discussion of the work in progress that aims to refine and validate the classifier.