This chapter motivates the need for, and introduces a formal set of processes that constitute the practice of, "Complex Systems Engineering" (CSE). Our experiences and observations strongly suggest Enterprise Engineering is best approached using CSE to engineer and manage the enterprise.
Using the current instantiation of the Air and Space Operations Center (AOC2), and the desired evolution of it, the AOC is shown to be best thought of as a complex system. Complex Systems are alive and constantly changing. They respond and interact with their environments—each causing impact on (and inspiring change in) the other. We make the case that a traditional systems engineering (TSE) approach does not scale to the AOC; consequently, we don't believe TSE scales to the "enterprise."
We introduce a new set of processes which complement—and do not replace—the processes that constitute traditional systems engineering. The methods for the engineering of complex systems are based on a view of complex systems as having the characteristics of an ecosystem, and the use of processes which take advantage of emergence and which deliberately mimic evolution to accomplish and manage the engineering outcomes desired.
The chapter is structured in four major sections:
- Why Rethink Systems Engineering?
- Complexity and Complex Systems
- Engineering Complex Systems
- Complex Systems Engineering in Practice
We all must come to grips with the non-deterministic nature of enterprises. We hope to extend the concepts and methods of Systems Engineering to complex systems, and to open up the professional dialog so as to codify the engineering and management of complex systems and enterprises.
