Some approaches to systems of systems engineering

Abstract

Given the wide span of challenges that are amenable to systems of systems engineering (SoSE), it is not surprising that there are a considerable number of rather different SoSE approaches in use. The paper opens by describing the generic nature of SoSE methodologies and argues that they should be value-driven, incremental, socio-technical, bespoke for each system of systems (SoS) problem, achieve their effect through influence and persuasion rather than control, and should be informed by evidence of what works in practice. The body of the paper describes three SoSE approaches and comments on the classes of SoS for which they have proved to be successful.