A Method to Define Requirements for System of Systems
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Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations Engineering Summer 2014 A Method to Define Requirements for System of Systems Randy Gene Walker Old Dominion University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/emse_etds Part of the Systems Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Walker, Randy G.. "A Method to Define Requirements for System of Systems" (2014). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dissertation, Engineering Management & Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/y02b-5646 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/emse_etds/130 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Engineering Management & Systems Engineering at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A METHOD TO DEFINE REQUIREMENTS FOR SYSTEM OF SYSTEMS by Randy Gene Walker B.S. Electrical Engineering June 1990, San Diego State University M.S. Electrical Engineering June 1996, Naval Postgraduate School M.S. Computer Science June 1996, Naval Postgraduate School A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ENGINEERING MANAGMENT OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY August 2014 Approved by: Charles B. Keating Q ifector) Resit Unal (Member) Adrian Ghaorghe (Membc ames Pyne (Mdhber) ABSTRACT A METHOD TO DEFINE REQUIREMENTS FOR SYSTEM OF SYSTEMS Randy Gene Walker Old Dominion University, 2014 Director: Dr. Charles B. Keating The purpose of this research was to develop and apply a systems-based method for defining System of Systems (SoS) requirements using an inductive research design. Just as traditional Systems Engineering (TSE) includes a requirements definition phase, so too does System of Systems Engineering (SoSE); only with a wider, more over arching, systemic perspective. TSE addresses the design and development of a single system with generally a very specific functional purpose enabled by any number of sub components. SoSE however, addresses the design and development of a large, complex system to meet a wide range of functional purposes enabled by any number of constituent systems, each of which may have its own individually-managed and funded TSE effort in execution. To date, the body of prescriptive guidance on how to define SoS requirements is extremely limited and nothing exists today that offers a methodological approach capable of being leveraged against real-world SoS problems. As a result, SoSE practitioners are left attempting to apply TSE techniques, methods, and tools to address requirements for the more complex problems of the SoS domain. This research addressed this gap in the systems body of knowledge by developing a method, grounded in systems principles and theory, that offers practitioners a systemic, flexible method for defining unifying and measurable SoS requirements. This provides element system managers and engineers a SoS focus to their efforts while still maximizing their autonomy to achieve system-level requirements. A rigorous mixed- method research methodology, employing inductive methods with a case application was used to develop and validate the SoS Requirements Definition Method. Two research questions provided the research focus: • How does the current body of knowledge inform the definition of a system theoretic construct to define SoS requirements? • What results from the demonstration of the candidate construct for SoS requirements definition? Using Discoverers’ Induction (Whewell, 1858), coupled with coding techniques from the grounded theory method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967), a systems-based method for defining SoS requirements was constructed and applied to a real-world SoS requirements definition case. The structured systemic method advances the SoSE field and shows significant promise for further development to support SoSE practitioners in the area of SoS requirements engineering. This dissertation is dedicated to my wife Ann and my children Christopher, Katherine, and Robert. Everything I do in my life is to make a better life for you, to include ensuring I remain a man you are proud to call husband and father. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS On the academic front, I must thank Dr. Chuck Keating, my advisor and professor in systems thinking. While my professional work sparked my interest in System of Systems, it was Chuck’s instruction and guidance that gave me a language and a way of thinking about systems I have found extremely fruitful in applying to my work-world challenges. I have also greatly appreciated Chuck’s advising support; patient with my seemingly incessant calls for clarification and guidance, and always there to be a voice of reason as the research approach morphed over time. I also want to thank ‘Mother & Bucko,’ my wife’s parents. From the day we met all those years ago, at the young age of 19, they saw something in me I had not yet realized myself. Every step of the way from that day to this, they have supported me in every way possible; with love, encouragement, prayers, and presence. Throughout this journey, I have tried to not let my pursuit of this personal and professional goal interfere with family activities or my family responsibilities. I hope I have achieved that goal in the eyes of my wife and children. While I hope it serves as an example that learning is continuous and life-long, I do wish to thank my children for their tolerance of dad’s journey. Their patience with me for any times I had to choose class, study, or homework over time spent with them is much appreciated. But most of all, I wish to thank my wife, Ann for her encouragement, understanding, and overall steadfast support. Her love and companionship sustained me throughout this endeavor, as always. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES.....................................................................................................................................................IX LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................................................XI CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................................................1 P u r p o s e o f t h e R e s e a r c h ................................. 4 R e s e a r c h Q u e s t io n s .............................................................................................................................................................................4 D e f in it io n o f K e y T e r m in o l o g y .................................................................................................................................................. 6 R e s e a r c h D elimitations a n d L i m it a t io n s ........................................................................................................................... 7 S u m m a r y .....................................................................................................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE.......................................................................................................12 T r a d it io n a l S y s t e m s E n g in e e r in g .......................................................................................................................................... 13 S y s t e m o f S y s t e m s (S o S ) E n g in e e r in g ..................................................................................................................................21 L it e r a t u r e R e v ie w S u m m a r y ...................................................................................................................................................... 47 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & DESIGN ......................................................................... 50 H ig h -L e v e l R e s e a r c h D e s ig n F r a m e w o r k ........................................................................................................................ 50 D e t a il e d R e s e a r c h D e s ig n .............................................................................................................................. , ...........................67 S u m m a r y .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 77 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS ..........................................................................................................................................79 D e v e l o p in g t h e S o S R equirements D e f in it io n M e t h o d ......................................................................................... 79 V a l id a t in g t h e S o S R equirements D e f in it io n M e t h o d ........................................................................................ 115 S u m m a r y ..............................................................................................................