SW Hinsley FFP_thesis_iss_2_2_1.doc ‘Maintaining Systems-of-Systems Fit-For-Purpose’ A technique exploiting Material, Energy and Information Source, Sink and Bearer Analysis by Steven W. Hinsley A Doctoral Thesis Submitted as partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Ph.D. of Loughborough University Submitted September 2016 Revised with Corrections April 2017 © by Steven W. Hinsley 2017 Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley FFP_thesis_iss_2_2_1.doc Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley FFP_thesis_iss_2_2_1.doc Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley Abstract Abstract Across many domains, systems suppliers are challenged by the complexity of their systems and the speed at which their systems must be changed in order to meet the needs of customers or the societies which the systems support. Stakeholder needs are ever more complex: appearing, disappearing, changing and interacting faster than solutions able to address them can be instantiated. Similarly, the systems themselves continually change as a result of both external and internal influences, such as damage, changing environment, upgrades, reconfiguration, replacement, etc. In the event of situations unforeseen at design time, personnel (for example maintainers or operators) close to the point of employment may have to modify systems in response to the evolving situation, and to do this in a timely manner so that the system and/or System-of- Systems (SoS: a set of systems that have to interoperate) can achieve their aims. This research was motivated by the problem of designing-in re-configurability to the constituent systems of a SoS to enable the SoS and its systems to effectively and efficiently counter the effects of unforeseen events that adversely affect fitness-for–purpose whilst operational. This research shows that a SoS does not achieve or maintain fitness-for-purpose because it cannot implement the correct, timely and complete transfer of Material, Energy and Information (MEI) between its constituents and with its external environment that is necessary to achieve a desired outcome; i.e. the purpose. A mixed-method concurrent triangulation research approach has been used to create a scalable technique that reveals functionality within a designed system that does not appear in the usual design definition, together with a new system design artefact to capture it: this is a system meta- model of MEI Sources, Sinks and Bearers (SSBs). The analysis of MEI transfers and MEI SSBs has not been previously used for this type of problem. Unmanaged and uncontrolled MEI SSBs may create risks that require management, but they may also provide opportunities for exploitation to ensure the system’s fitness-for- purpose throughout its lifecycle. The method and engineering process developed from the technique created by this research provide a novel viewpoint and hence a more complete understanding of the System-of-Interest (SoI). This greater understanding can be applied in numerous ways as can any knowledge of the SoI, but here the focus is on three general purposes: Revealing concealed root causes of potential problems in the SoI Wolfson School of Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Electrical Engineering i Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley Abstract Guiding system suppliers to enhance the affordance of SoS constituent systems for the transfer of material, energy and information Indicating prospective avenues for innovation. This research has provided a new engineering technique delivered in a form that addresses a gap in systems engineering theory and provides a thought provoking point-of-departure for further academic research, together with an engineering method and process that facilitates exploitation by the industrial sponsor; it will impact their engineering processes and their products. It guides system suppliers and allows them, in a resource efficient manner, to aid SoS stakeholders in difficult and time-constrained situations who have to adapt what they have to hand to respond in a timely manner to unforeseen events. Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering ii Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley Key Words Capability; Fit-For-Purpose; Affordance; Material Energy Information; Socio-technical; Systems; Systems-of-Systems; Resilience; Robustness; Transfers; Agility; Re-configurability; Reuse; Product Line Architecture; Fit For Purpose; System supplier; Systems integration Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering iii Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley Acknowledgements I would like to thank Loughborough University for giving me the opportunity to do this PhD and the many other people who have given their time and thoughts on my work over the last four years. I’d like to mention specifically Mike Henshaw, Carys Siemieniuch and Murray Sinclair of the Engineering Systems-of-Systems group specifically in recognition of them giving me the benefit of their considerable experience, encouragement and good humour. I’d like to also mention Angus Johnson and Jean-Luc Garnier for their efforts on my behalf at Thales and Paul Davies for instigating the industrial engagement. Last but by no means least, my partner Sue who has supported me through this PhD and through two previous part-time degrees, a BSc and an MSc, who thoroughly deserves her new kitchen after 22 years. Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering iv Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley Terminology Research Definition of Terms Term Definition Affordances Features that provide the potential for interaction by “affording the ability to do something”(Sillitto, 2011) Agile Property of a system that can be changed rapidly AOF UK MoD Acquisition Operating Framework (MEI) Bearer A transferor of material, energy or information. Capability The ability to form systems of interacting systems Closed Loop Design A design where a portion of its output combined with its input CONEMP CONcept of EMPloyment: describes how a capability will be employed to meet mission accomplishment in various scenarios CONOPS CONcept of OPerationS: describes how systems are operated and utilised in operations from the users’ viewpoint CONUSE CONcept of USE: describes an overview of how a specific system or systems might be used to support various stakeholders Created System The created system is the one to be delivered to some customer and user.(Hitchins 2005) Creating System The creating system is the one that exists inside the organization or enterprise, and it is this creating system that delivers the goods on time and within budget, i.e., makes a profit for the business – or not.(Hitchins 2005) Delivered System /SoS The System / SoS delivered to the customer Design Opportunity A time when there is an opportunity to make design alterations to the System-of Interest (SoI), such as a major maintenance period Duty The usage of something over time Dynamic (MEI meta- A MEI meta-model that shows MIE SSBs and their connections and model) also incorporates the quantities of MEI associated with the MEI SSBs in the model Engaged Stakeholder A stakeholder that directly engages with the SoS of interest at the time they use its results, hence requiring it to be fit-for-purpose Emergent Property “Property of the whole that is not evident from the parts” (Workinger 2007) Engineering the “ilities” Engineering for desired system properties. The ilities are desired properties of systems, such as flexibility or maintainability (usually but not always ending in “ility”), that often manifest themselves after a system has been put to its initial use. (De Weck 2011) Transfer Affordance Features that enable the transfer of MEI Feedback A portion of system output fed back to be combined with the system input Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering v Engineering Systems-of-Systems Group SW Hinsley Term Definition Fitted for but not with A system that has mass, space, services etc. provided for a component but is not fitted with it Fit For Purpose “Good enough to do the job it was designed to do” (Macmillan, n.d.) (Dictionary) Fit For Purpose (System / Able to satisfice the operational task stakeholders, after System-of-Systems) unpredictable changes in operation, composition or external factors Horizontal Integration Integration of a SoI with legacy and successor systems to provide continuity of capability Improvement through System improvement obtained by replacing original parts with spares improved versions of them Intended Designed-In; part of a system of interest by design Inherent Integral with an ‘intended’ part of a system of interest Independent Independent of a system of interest, but affecting the system of interest Innovation Route A course of action towards innovative products and services Kinematic (meta-model) A MEI meta-model that shows MIE SSBs and their connections only; it does not incorporate the quantities of MEI associated with the MEI SSBs Known Factors Known variables whose values and variations are known, that affect a SoS’ outcome Known-Unknown Factors Known variables whose values and variations are unknown, that affect a SoS’ outcome Line Replaceable Unit A unit forming part of a system that can be exchanged in the operational environment