System of Systems Engineering

Abstract:The purpose of this article is to develop the concept, foundations, research directions, and practice implications for System of Systems Engineering (SoSE). First, we introduce the nature of the complex systems problems faced by SoSE. Second, current perspectives of system of systems are explored. These perspectives are synthesized to a set of common themes in the literature and shortcomings in the current state of SoSE are identified. Third, we provide our perspective of SoSE, with implications for design, deployment, operation, and transformation of complex systems of systems. Fourth, we propose the structure for a research agenda to advance the knowledge and practice of SoSE. We close by developing implications of SoSE for systems engineering practitioners.