Applying Frameworks to Manage SoS Architecture

Abstract: As systems become more complex, managing the development of these systems becomes more challenging. Additionally the integration of multiple independent systems increases the management challenge. A System of Systems (SoS) has unique attributes which bring about unique management challenges. Architecture frameworks exist to organize and manage information about an architecture, and can be used to manage SoS architecture. One proposed approach was a framework that spans from component to enterprise, where enterprise is a SoS. A potential problem for this approach is that the lower half of the framework (from system down), is constructed using a reductionist approach while the upper part of the framework is constructed using a composition approach—that is, it is constructed by combining systems to make the broader enterprise system or SoS. So, does it stand to reason that the management approach for systems development should be the same as for SoS development? This article addresses some of the reasons why they should be managed differently, and offers a methodology for implementing the widely accepted Zachman Framework to facilitate the managing of SoS architectures.