An Agent-Based Model of Miscommunication in Complex System Engineering Organizations

Meluso, John; Austin‐Breneman, Jesse; Shaw, Lynette

doi:10.1109/jsyst.2019.2940864

Cited by 6 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Problem-solving processes are frequently represented as a sequence of interdependent tasks, where the output of task n defines the input of task n + 1 along with potential feedback from other processes (McNerney et al 2011; Guan & Chen 2018; Shergadwala et al 2018; Eletreby et al 2020). A cartoon of a two-task system of this form is illustrated in Figure 1.…”

Section: Model Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When modelling such task structures, it is also necessary to represent the underlying 'physics' of each task, since it drives the internal solving processes. Some authors represent the task model in general terms, typically combining the problem and solver as a solving process (see Terwiesch & Xu 2008;Meluso, Austin-Breneman & Shaw 2020;Valencia-Romero & Grogan 2020), whereas others adopt a reference system, model the interdependencies among its elements and use this platform to study the investigated trade-offs (Sobieszczanski-Sobieski & Haftka 1997;Hazelrigg 1998;Sinha et al 2001;Topcu & Mesmer 2018). We chose to adopt a reference system because it enables easier intuition about the opportunities for feasible alternative task structures and solver types.…”

Section: Instantiating a Reference Problem And Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towards a solver-aware systems architecting framework: leveraging experts, specialists and the crowd to design innovative complex systems

2022

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This article proposes the solver-aware system architecting framework for leveraging the combined strengths of experts, crowds and specialists to design innovative complex systems. Although system architecting theory has extensively explored the relationship between alternative architecture forms and performance under operational uncertainty, limited attention has been paid to differences due to who generates the solutions. The recent rise in alternative solving methods, from gig workers to crowdsourcing to novel contracting structures emphasises the need for deeper consideration of the link between architecting and solver-capability in the context of complex system innovation. We investigate these interactions through an abstract problem-solving simulation, representing alternative decompositions and solver archetypes of varying expertise, engaged through contractual structures that match their solving type. We find that the preferred architecture changes depending on which combinations of solvers are assigned. In addition, the best hybrid decomposition-solver combinations simultaneously improve performance and cost, while reducing expert reliance. To operationalise this new solver-aware framework, we induce two heuristics for decomposition-assignment pairs and demonstrate the scale of their value in the simulation. We also apply these two heuristics to reason about an example of a robotic manipulator design problem to demonstrate their relevance in realistic complex system settings.

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Section: Model Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Instantiating a Reference Problem And Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a solver-aware systems architecting framework: leveraging experts, specialists and the crowd to design innovative complex systems

2022

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“…These characteristics-significant interactions and emergent behaviors-collectively suffice to begin defining engineered versions of such systems. 2 2) Complex Engineered Systems: As with complex systems, consensus does not exist about the definition of a complex engineered system [58]. The simplest definition is "networks of interconnected components" [34], though the focus therein limits itself to networks of physical artifacts.…”

Section: A Definitions Of Complex Engineered Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Systems engineering research has explored alternative system formulations such as Value-Driven Design [38], [39] while engineering design research has formulated Multidisciplinary Design Optimization [40], each of which lends itself to abstract representations of CES development. Likewise, organizational research is beginning to explore computational methods of representing organizational processes [41]- [46] as engineering follows suit [2], [47]- [51].…”

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confidence: 99%

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A Review & Framework for Modeling Complex Engineered System Development Processes

Meluso,

Austin-Breneman,

Bagrow

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Developing complex engineered systems (CES) poses significant challenges for engineers, managers, designers, and businesspeople alike due to the inherent complexity of the systems and contexts involved. Furthermore, experts have expressed great interest in filling the gap in theory about how CES develop. This article begins to address that gap in two ways. First, it reviews the numerous definitions of CES along with existing theory and methods on CES development processes. Then, it proposes the ComplEx System Integrated Utilities Model (CESIUM), a novel framework for exploring how numerous system and development process characteristics may affect the performance of CES. CE-SIUM creates simulated representations of a system architecture, the corresponding engineering organization, and the new product development process through which the organization designs the system. It does so by representing the system as a network of interdependent artifacts designed by agents. Agents iteratively design their artifacts through optimization and share information with other agents, thereby advancing the CES toward a solution. This paper describes the model, conducts a sensitivity analysis, provides validation, and suggests directions for future study.

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Initial Conditions Sensitivity Analysis of a Two-Species Butterfly-Effect Agent-Based Model

Berceanu

Pătraşcu²

2022

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

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An Agent-Based Model of Miscommunication in Complex System Engineering Organizations

Cited by 6 publications

References 63 publications

Towards a solver-aware systems architecting framework: leveraging experts, specialists and the crowd to design innovative complex systems

Towards a solver-aware systems architecting framework: leveraging experts, specialists and the crowd to design innovative complex systems

A Review & Framework for Modeling Complex Engineered System Development Processes

Initial Conditions Sensitivity Analysis of a Two-Species Butterfly-Effect Agent-Based Model

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