System-of-Systems Acquisition: Alignment and Collaboration

Abstract

System-of-systems (SoS) acquisition research has identified lack of alignment and lack of collaboration as two important issues leading to problems in SoS acquisition. This report captures the exploratory work toward improving alignment between and collaboration among the individual system programs in the development of an SoS. An SoS inter-program collaboration approach is proposed.It is inspired by some existing web-based collaborative systems, such as eBay, Facebook, and Eureka, and suggests an attraction mechanism to effect SoS interprogram collaboration. In addition, a web-based collaborative system is also suggested. Based on an architecture for distributed and interoperable management of multi-site production projects, it allows personnel of all programs associated with an SoS to input need points for component system inputs and retrieve information required to align the individual programs. Furthermore, contracting structures for facilitating collaboration among the system programs are also considered. Finally, this work forms a basis for implementing a web-based SoS collaborative system to support Department of Defense (DoD) SoS acquisition programs.

A methodology for developing SoS architectures using SysML model federation

“…15 At the same time, research indicates that leading problems in SoS acquisition and development are the lack of collaboration between SE and SoSE as well as a lack of alignment between those constituent systems, a direct result of insufficient front-end SoSE. 15,16 Within this context, a failure to collaborate is a result of individual system programs failing to work with one another to achieve the SoS goals, while a lack of alignment is caused by the system not being ready for integration due to insufficient up front SE. 16 While 15 describes that improving collaboration and alignment of systems within SoS is critical for future acquisition success, 17 points out that a lack of SoS perspective is an obstacle to success.…”

“…15,16 Within this context, a failure to collaborate is a result of individual system programs failing to work with one another to achieve the SoS goals, while a lack of alignment is caused by the system not being ready for integration due to insufficient up front SE. 16 While 15 describes that improving collaboration and alignment of systems within SoS is critical for future acquisition success, 17 points out that a lack of SoS perspective is an obstacle to success. The literature goes further identifying coordination between SoS development activities and resulting artifacts as being required and a critical issue in SoS development.…”

“…As a result, government acquisition program offices are increasingly emphasizing the need to integrate independent systems into SoS to deliver those unique capabilities 15 . At the same time, research indicates that leading problems in SoS acquisition and development are the lack of collaboration between SE and SoSE as well as a lack of alignment between those constituent systems, a direct result of insufficient front‐end SoSE 15,16 . Within this context, a failure to collaborate is a result of individual system programs failing to work with one another to achieve the SoS goals, while a lack of alignment is caused by the system not being ready for integration due to insufficient up front SE 16 .…”