Framework for Improving Complex System Performance

Abstract

This paper introduces a framework for improvement of complex system performance. Complex systems are besieged with conditions marked by increasing uncertainty, emergence, and ambiguity. Additionally, demands for increased productivity, resource efficiencies, and performance improvement make new approaches paramount for modern systems engineers. In response, a framework to improve complex system performance is developed. Following an introduction, the paper pursues four objectives: (1) introduction of Complex System Governance (CSG) as a foundation to describe essential system functions, (2) suggest system ‘pathologies’ as an explanation for deep system performance issues, (3) exploration of system performance improvement as a function of ‘requisite variety’ to compensate for deep system issues, and (4) introduce a framework for complex system performance improvement using system pathologies as ‘unab‐sorbed variety’. The paper closes with some challenges for further development of the framework for deployment and application guidance for practitioners.

Enhancing Enterprise Architecture with Resilience Perspective

“…Erol, Henry, and Sauser (2010) highlight the importance of measuring capability systems' resilience in their operating environment to improve their resilience vis-à-vis the environment and to model and predict the short and long-term effects of change and operational management decisions on resilience. This approach is inherent in the organismic and pathological approach of complex systems governance (CSG) modelling developed by Keating et al (2019) (Keating and Bradley 2015, Katina 2016, Katina et al 2020. Rouhani et al (2015) and Erol, Mansouri, and Sauser (2009) outline EAs' limited capabilities when it comes to systems' lifecycle development.…”

“…Capability systems must be capable of rapid change and adaptation to prepare for and succeed in a spectrum of competitive or contested environments, especially where such settings are complex and thus only partially predictable (Keating et al 2019, Keating et al 2018). The ability of capability systems to meet their requirements and continue to function in uncertain and often adverse circumstances is often associated with resilience, a non-functional capability system's requirement which is fast becoming an integral part of the system design effort and the desired system characteristic (Ferris 2019, Hossain et al 2019, Brennan, Joiner, and Sitnikova 2019, Linkov and Kott 2019.…”