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.

Organizations and practitioners must contend with systems that operate in complex problem domains characterized by increasing complexity, ambiguity, uncertainty, and emergence. Systems thinking (ST) has been suggested as a framework of thought, based in holistic understanding of systems, to aid in dealing with increasingly complex systems and their problems. The primary contribution of the paper is examination of both individual capacity and corresponding organizational competence related to ST as a response to more effectively navigate the complex problem domain facing practitioners and organizations. Following a short introduction, we have organized the paper to explore four primary areas. First, we examine the nature of the complex problem domain confronting organizations and practitioners. Second, we suggest individual capacity and organizational competence as two essential areas necessary for ST to offer a response to more effectively navigate the complex problem domain. Third, we present an in depth examination of individual capacity for ST. Fourth, we develop a perspective of organizational competencies in relation to engaging ST. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges and implications for further development and application of ST.

The importance and complexity of the problems associated with coordinating multiple organizations to configure value propositions for customers has drawn the attention of multiple disciplines. In an effort to clarify and consolidate terms, this conceptual research examines both supply chain management (SCM) and system of systems (SoS) literature to postulate, from a value-chain perspective, what roles integration and collaboration play in helping supply chains satisfy customer requirements. A literature review analysis was used to identify the commonalities and differences between supply chain management and system of systems approaches to examining interfirm coordination of value creation efforts. Although a framework of integration and collaboration roles in value creation is proposed, further empirical testing of the concept is required to substantiate initial conclusions. The concepts proposed may help clarify where strategic and operational managers need to focus their efforts in coordinating supply chain member firms. The incorporation of SoS engineering into the supply chain field will draw the linkage between the constituent principles, and concepts of Systems Theory as appropriate for the supply chain management field. This is the first effort to reconcile two separate but parallel scholarship streams examining the coordination of multiple organizations in value creation. This research shows that there are some methodologies, principles, and methods from the SoS field that can supplement supply chain management research. Mainly due to a unit of analysis issue, systems based approaches have not been in the mainstream of supply chain management field development.

The operating landscape of 21st century systems is characteristically ambiguous, emergent, and uncertain. These characteristics affect the capacity and performance of engineered systems/enterprises. In response, there are increasing calls for multidisciplinary approaches capable of confronting increasingly ambiguous, emergent, and uncertain systems. System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) is an example of such an approach. A key aspect of SoSE is the coordination and the integration of systems to enable ‘system-of-systems’ capabilities greater than the sum of the capabilities of the constituent systems. However, there is a lack of qualitative studies exploring how coordination and integration are achieved. The objective of this research is to revisit SoSE utility as a potential multidisciplinary approach and to suggest ‘governance’ as the basis for enabling ‘system-of-systems’ coordination and integration. In this case, ‘governance’ is concerned with direction, oversight, and accountability of ‘system-of-systems.’ ‘Complex System Governance’ is a new and novel basis for improving ‘system-of-system’ performance through purposeful design, execution, and evolution of essential metasystem functions.’