Quantitative Characterization of Complex Systems—An Information Theoretic Approach

A significant increase in System-of-Systems (SoS) is currently observed in the social and technical domains. As a result of the increasing number of constituent system components, Systems of Systems are becoming larger and more complex. Recent research efforts have highlighted the importance of identifying innovative statistical and theoretical approaches for analyzing complex systems to better understand how they work. This paper portrays the use of an agnostic two-stage examination structure for complex systems aimed towards developing an information theory-based approach to analyze complex technical and socio-technical systems. Towards the goal of characterizing system complexity with information entropy, work was carried out in exploring the potential application of entropy to a simulated case study to illustrate its applicability and to establish the use of information theory within the broad horizon of complex systems. Although previous efforts have been made to use entropy for understanding complexity, this paper provides a basic foundation for identifying a framework to characterize complexity, in order to analyze and assess complex systems in different operational domains.

Integrating Cluster Analysis into Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Maintenance Management of Aging Culverts

Negligence in relation to aging infrastructure systems could have unintended consequences and is therefore associated with a risk. The assessment of the risk of neglecting maintenance provides valuable information for decision making in maintenance management. However, infrastructure systems are interdependent and interconnected systems of systems characterized by hierarchical levels and a multiplicity of failure scenarios. Assessment methodologies are needed that can capture the multidimensional aspect of risk and simplify the risk assessment, while also improving the understanding and interpretation of the results. This paper proposes to integrate the multi-criteria decision analysis with data mining techniques to perform the risk assessment of aging infrastructures. The analysis is characterized by two phases. First, an intra failure scenario risk assessment is performed. Then, the results are aggregated to carry out an inter failure scenario risk assessment. A cluster analysis based on the k-medoids algorithm is applied to reduce the number of alternatives and identify those which dominate the decision problem. The proposed approach is applied to a system of aging culverts of the German waterways network. Results show that the procedure allows to simplify the analysis and improve communication with infrastructure stakeholders.

Systems-of-Systems MS&A for Complex Systems, Gaming and Decision for Space Systems

This chapter discusses advanced modeling, simulation and analysis (MS&A) approaches for supporting complex space system, gaming and decision support system (DSS) using systems-of-systems perspective. The systems-of-systems MS&A approaches presented here also address capability-based approach for supporting US defense acquisition life cycle with a laser focus on the pre-award acquisition phase and combined game theory and wargaming for acquiring complex defense space systems. The chapter also provides an overview of existing models and tools for the design, analysis and development of the government reference system architecture solution and corresponding acquisition strategy in a complex defense systems-of-systems environment. Although, the proposed MS&A approaches presented here are focused on defense space systems, but the approaches are flexible and robust that can be extended to any civilian and commercial applications.

Global Quality Management System (G-QMS) in Systems of Systems (SoS) – Aspects of Definition, Structure and Model

The current research integrates, for the first-time, the relatively new and rapidly evolving disciplines of QMS, SoS, Globalization and Systems approaches such as Systems Thinking, by defining a novel field of research concerning G-QMS in global SoS organizations. This is an exploratory study which uses the Grounded Theory combined with an analytical review and professional experience to provide a framework for identifying new key variables in the multidimensional environment of global management. The purpose of this study is the creation a theoretical foundation for this field of research, and introduce logical deductions regarding G-QMS in global SoS organizations that can be used as foundational principles for a definition and model of G-QMS. Methodology: The study paradigm combines analytical review, which integrates the four main disciplines, and a structured qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews, and used Grounded Theory. Results and conclusions: The findings show that G-QMS is a necessary condition for these organizations, while the management of G-QMS is inseparable from the management of the SoS. The final results reveal 18 aspects to be considered in any definition determined for G-QMS in global SoS organizations, and any model to be developed. From these, 8 base anchors for the model were analyzed and mapped, as well as its main factors. Each of these base anchors makes its own contribution to any further development in this area. However, considering them all together creates an initial model of G-QMS in global SoS organizations.