By the definitions given, It is clear that a system is composed of items that are not systems.
Further it is clear that a system of systems is defined as a system composed of systems not items.
A significant problem with the definition given for system is the lack of purpose, goal, objective and/or function.
If we use the term system in the domain of systems engineering then the organizing relationship mapped over the system components is the system function, goal, purpose and/or objective. Combining the term system with engineering creates the concept of a system that solves human problems using science and mathematics.
In large scale governmental operations the government acquisition branch acquires systems for use by the governments operational branches.
In the large scale governmental acquisition arena the term systems of systems is popular and this group does not design any specific system function.
In the large scale governmental operations arena the term systems of systems is popular because the aggregate behaviour of the deployed unit is dependent on the operational doctrine of the unit and the specific set of systems that are available.
If you are discussing system engineering from a system acquisition point of view the design activity will be minimal.
If you are discussing system engineering from a system design point of view the design activity will be maximal.
If you are discussing system engineering from a system operations point of view the design activity of the system will be minimal but the design activity associated with the deployed system configuration will be maximal.
These terms need to be discussed in standard contexts.
Each standard context will change the meaning of the term.
When the term system of systems is used in the context of general systems theory (GST) it means something completely different than when it is used in the acquisition of industrially produced systems for government use.
Semantics is context dependent.
Should the context be one of the "things or whats" that appear in an ontology.
The great impact of context on semantic meaning suggests the context must be part of an ontology.
Definition: If a System is a
Group/Collection/Assemblage of interacting/interrelated/interdependent
parts/elements/components comprising a unified whole; the System of
Systems (SOS) is a Collection of interacting individual systems comprising
an a complex whole.
Scope: Systems > Complex Systems >
Systems of Systems > Complex Problems
Methodology: SOS Ontology > SOS Science
> SOS Engineering > SOS Research (Definition, Analysis, Modeling,
Simulation, Design, Development, Execution, Operation,
Management)
Applications: from Transportation to ICT
Networks to Space Exploration
Some general descriptions are compiled in
PhD thesis on Systems of Systems: Principles, Performance, and Modelling
(Held)
SOS is concerned with interoperability
and synergism of Command, Control, Computers, Communications, and Information
(C4I) and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems:
description in the field of information superiority in modern
military.
SOS is a large-scale concurrent and
distributed system comprised of complex systems themselves: description in
the field of communicating structures and information systems in private
enterprise.
SOS involves the integration of systems
into the system of systems that ultimately contribute to evolution of the
social infrastructure: description in the field of education of engineers
on the importance of systems and their integration.
SOS Integration is a method to pursue
development, integration, interoperability, and optimization of systems to
enhance performance in future battlefield scenarios: description in the
field of information intensive systems integration in the
military.
SOS is about five common
characteristics: operational independence of the individual systems,
managerial independence of the systems, geographical distribution, emergent
behavior and evolutionary development: description in the field of
evolutionary acquisition of complex adaptive systems in the
military.
Enterprise SOS Engineering is about
coupling traditional systems engineering activities with enterprise activities
of strategic planning and investment analysis: description in the field of
information intensive systems in private enterprise.
SOS is a collection of trans-domain
networks of heterogeneous systems exhibiting operational and managerial
independence, geographical distribution, and emergent and evolutionary
behaviors: description in the field of National Transportation System,
Integrated Military and Space Exploration.
INCOSE says the 'system' in 'systems engineering'
means:
- an integrated set of elements, subsystems, or assemblies that
accomplish a defined objective. These elements include products (hardware,
software, firmware), processes, people, information, techniques,
facilities, services, and other support elements. (INCOSE) An example would
be an air transportation system.
System of system is
then:
System‐of‐systems applies to a system‐of‐interest whose
system elements are themselves systems; typically these entail
large scale inter‐disciplinary problems with multiple,
heterogeneous, distributed systems.
and system of interest
is:
System‐of‐interest the system whose life cycle is under
consideration
ISO/IEC 15288:2008 Systems engineering – System
life‐cycle processes says:
- a combination of interacting elements
organized to achieve one or more stated purposes
FWIW I happen to be
in the middle of making a SKOS instantiation of the INCOSE SE Handbook terms
and definitions for a NIST investigation.
Cheers, David
On
2/7/2012 5:42 PM, Mike Bennett wrote:
Surely a
system is something for which there are things which have part-hood
relationships to that thing. Having parts would be what distinguishes a
system (at this most general level) from a bunch of stuff.
Just a
suggestion.
Mike
On 07/02/2012 17:25, joseph simpson wrote:
The first step in this process is defining a system.
If
you can not define a system then you can not define a complex system or a
system of systems.
So, I still wonder if we have developed
distinction criteria for a system.
(A "system of systems" is by
definition a system.)
Because the name of this track is Big
Systems and Systems Engineering this topic fits under the topic of
mathematics (a very big system).
However, engineering in
general is a bit different and systems engineering is even more
different.
Engineering is the act of applying mathematics and
scientific principles to the solution of practical
problems.
So, math is a tool used by engineers to solve
problems.
Then there are systems science and metasystems
methodology that set the context for the application of systems
engineering.
There is little or no magic involved in these well
defined approaches and processes for designing, developing, deploying
and operating large-scale systems.
However, as Arthur C. Clarke
detailed in his three laws, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic."
In my mind we are discussing a
very advanced technology that integrates large stores of data,
information and technology.
If a () system of () systems
exists then a (very (simple)) system is still a
system of (very (very (simple))) system.
It's
amaizing to know a very simple system which
demonstrates very complex behavior. This is a fantastic gift. We do not deserv it - but
we have it! :)
We could think that the natural numbers
(1,2,3,4,5,6,7.. so on) is simple. Are we sure?
Let's choose a natural number n1
(free, spontaneously, without any reasons - just any of natural
numbers) and then let's choose again any natural number n2 (free,
spontaneously, without any reasons - just any of natural
numbers).
The more freedom of choice we have - the more
chances that n2>n1
Absolute freedom of choice makes n2>n1
guaranteed
The reason of this is that there is no a
biggest natural number (that is also an amazing fact, by the
way)
We (people) are finite (in space and
time) pretty simple entities. How can we understand infinity?
The answer is - because ae are able to play
with a freedom of choice - thanks for the great gift - the
natural numbers :)
The
logistic equations and cellular automata are magic wands whaich
transform complex system of systems in a simple set 1,2,3 and so on
:)
The logistic equation is a math model of the
behavior of a living system.
A very simple system can
demonstrate very complex behavior.
In my view this is
another example of general systems theory (GST) where a specific
branch of science was generalized into mathematics and applied in
many places.
However, this is behavior of a simple system,
not a system of systems or an industrial system.
Have
fun,
Joe
On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 1:49 PM, Yuriy Milov
<qdone@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Jack,
I think the metod is to follow
the cascade of bifurcation which has the universal mesure (a
sort of the delta number which can be got
from experiment/experience)
The magics here is our
ability to distinguish the related and unrelated events -
where the bifurcated branchs (splitted paths) belongs one
tree (one way)
Sorry if it is too vague methafora - I
do some urgent job right now