What This Document Is
This report, originating from the University of Southern California’s Center for Systems and Software Engineering (CSSE), presents a detailed investigation into the evolving field of Systems of Systems Engineering (SoSE). It’s a research-focused paper centered around the assessment of various process modeling tools and their applicability to analyzing the differences between traditional Systems Engineering (SE) and SoSE practices. The core focus is on identifying tools capable of capturing and comparing process characteristics across a substantial number of projects – potentially up to 40.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is particularly valuable for graduate students, researchers, and professionals involved in complex systems development, particularly those working with integrated systems or seeking to understand the nuances of SoSE. Individuals engaged in systems architecture, process improvement initiatives, or cost estimation modeling will find the comparative analysis of process modeling tools insightful. It’s especially relevant for those grappling with the challenges of scaling systems engineering practices to accommodate the increased complexity inherent in Systems of Systems.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This report is a focused research study and does *not* offer a step-by-step guide to implementing SoSE or a definitive “best” process modeling tool. It doesn’t provide detailed tutorials on using specific software packages, nor does it present a complete cost estimation model for SoSE projects. The analysis is centered on tool *capabilities* rather than practical application, and the sample project used for evaluation serves as an illustration rather than a comprehensive case study.
What This Document Provides
* A contextual background on Systems of Systems (SoS) and Systems of Systems Engineering (SoSE).
* A defined set of desired capabilities for process modeling tools in the context of comparing classical SE and SoSE.
* An overview and evaluation of multiple candidate process modeling tools.
* A framework for analyzing and comparing process characteristics between traditional and SoS engineering approaches.
* A discussion of the criteria used to assess the suitability of different tools for SoSE-SE comparison.