In order to understand how we may engineer system of systems (SoS), we will have to rely significantly on our abilities in modeling and simulation. While there are some models of non-specific SoS, few attempts have been made to demonstrate these models with simulation. Simulations of SoS are usually specific cases. Likewise, in the description of a SoS, most of the approaches have focused on their characterization, yet this characterization has not been greatly utilized as an underlying feature in the modeling and simulation of SoS. We review different modeling techniques and use two converse techniques, i.e. agent-based and event-based modeling, to run a simulation of hypothetical systems collaborating into a SoS. The results of the empirical comparison indicate an agent-based modeling approach would achieve a characterization model better with validation achieved through an event-based approach

Soft systems methodology (SSM), an analytic method commonly employed in engineering and business research, produces models focused on human activities and relevant structures used to explain complex, engineered systems. The original version of SSM involves seven stages; five address real-world aspects and observable data, while two stages leverage a systems thinking viewpoint. This approach allows the development of a simplified depiction of complex systems representative of the multi-perspective lenses used to comprehend the systemic complexity of a problem and provide a clearer picture to analysts and decision makers. This bibliometric meta-analysis of 286 relevant publications in engineering, business, and other social sciences fields explores the historic impacts of SSM on academic research and systems thinking in relevant publications that described or employed SSM for research from 1980–2018. This study produced descriptive narrative outcomes and data visualizations including information about top SSM authors, author citation impacts, common dissemination outlets for SSM work, and other relevant metrics commonly used to measure academic impact. The goal of this piece is to depict who, what, why, when, and where SSM had the greatest impact on research, systems thinking, and methodology after nearly 40 years of use, as we look towards its future as a methodological approach used to comprehend complex problem situations.

Properly allocating resources to achieve system development objectives has remained a challenge in systems engineering management. Various optimization models have been developed to optimize respective figures of merit (FOMs) subject to development constraints. System readiness level (SRL) is a system FOM that was originally introduced to assess the maturity of a system during its development lifecycle and has evolved to cover the development of multifunction multicapability (MFMC) systems. Optimization models which include SRL as either the objective or a constraint have been proposed for system development planning. Building on the definition of the recently enhanced MFMC SRL, this paper proposes a multiobjective optimization model, called MO_SRL, to simultaneously optimize the following: 1) the maturity of the system's selected functions or capabilities and 2) the consumption of development resources. An evolutionary algorithm is used to obtain a Pareto set of optimal solutions, where each solution represents a development plan informing which system components should be advanced to which maturity levels without exceeding a certain amount of resource consumption. With the consideration of SRL correlation to typical system development lifecycle, this model can identify several development alternatives for improving the system maturity to more advanced phases with minimum resource consumption, and these multiple alternatives provide systems engineering managers with flexibility in planning system development.

This paper extends recent theoretical advances by merging service-dominant logic (S-D logic) and performance-based contracting (PBC). S-D logic is a conceptual frame of reference that defines supply chain knowledge and skill as its fundamental building blocks of strategic benefit. Cocreation of value between actors and beneficiaries is central to S-D logic and is measured through performance outcomes. PBC is a transformational departure from traditional supply chain strategies that focuses on delivering performance instead of goods and services. PBC has found increasing use in large-scale complex systems where the postproduction costs exceed the production cost, such as defense, transportation, and healthcare. These systems are commonly called sustainment-dominated systems (SDSs). We use systems theory and the Boardman Soft Systems Methodology to develop a systemigram that corresponds to the 11 foundational premises of S-D logic in the context of PBC. We also verify the use of the systemigram as an instrument to instantiate systems thinking and move S-D logic from an abstract framework to a more actionable framework. This paper provides managers and researchers a systematic insight into how investment into knowledge, skills, and the cocreation of value can drive improved SDS life-cycle affordability in the context of PBC.