An Austere SoS Integration Assurance Methodology

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of a Program Integration and Interoperability Assessment (Program I2A) methodology. The methodology underpins integration and interoperability (I2) assurance through a system‐of‐systems engineering assessment approach used to undertake Program capability design, realization and management, and examination of the key artefacts. A scorecard approach was designed for the Program I2A. The methodology was tested on a complex Defence capability (Integrated Air and Missile Defence) and from the lessons learnt it was refined to generate the Program I2A methodology described in this paper. A notable feature of the methodology is that it inherently facilitates the delivery of a force that will be joint and integrated by design. In particular, it provides senior decision‐makers with evidence to gauge the effectiveness of the emerging Program and force‐level (SoS) approaches. In doing so it lays the foundations for a mechanism to facilitate the cultural changes needed to establish a joint‐by‐design approach to delivering integrated force capabilities.

Multi‐Disciplinary Insights into Measurement and Assessment for SoS

“…This category includes metrics that are known to align with good SoS integration outcomes. Metrics in this category would be associated with: architectural design, dependency and interfaces, SoS risk analysis, SoS capability evaluation, SoS team management and competencies, road mapping and planning, stakeholder agreements, information management, and SoS culture (Cook and Unewisse, 2018).…”