Modeling and Simulation of Systems of Systems – a Survey <s> Framing suitable structure to SoSE area <s> System of systems engineering (SoSE) continues to evolve as a potentially promising response for analysis, design, and transformation of increasingly complex systems problems. The purpose of this paper is to establish critical foundations and offer a coherent framing for further research in SoSE. To achieve this purpose the paper is organized to: (1) introduce a contemporary perspective of SoSE, focused on identifying both convergence and divergence in the literature, (2) develop five logical levels that can help to understand divergence in SoSE and sharpen future research efforts, (3) articulate several of the critical research challenges that SoSE must address to be viable, and (4) identify a preliminary set of critical topical research areas for development of a more integrated research agenda for SoSE. The paper concludes with implications for close coupling of research and practice for the accelerated development of SoSE through an integrated research agenda. <s> BIB001 </s> Modeling and Simulation of Systems of Systems – a Survey <s> Framing suitable structure to SoSE area <s> System of systems engineering (SoSE) is a field that remains in the embryonic stages of development. The work presented in this volume provides a methodological approach, grounded in foundations of systems theory, to perform SoSE. However, further development of the field must be predicated on understanding critical distinctions emerging and bring focus to the challenges and prospects for further development. The purpose of this paper is to develop a perspective of the state of the SoSE field and identify challenges for future evolution. To achieve this purpose, the paper is organised to explore four primary areas. First, the literature is reviewed to provide an account of the current state of the field. Second, an organising framework is presented to structure understanding of field development. Third, a set of challenges to forward movement of the field is offered. Fourth, the paper concludes with reflections on the SoSE methodology presented in this volume and implications for further development of th... <s> BIB002
A particular framework, proposed for organization, integration and understanding the R&D activities to SoS, takes a holistic (voluntary) form and simultaneously orientates the area towards several fundamental directions. On Fig. 2 .1 the holistic relationships for integrated knowledge development BIB001 BIB002 are performed. Following, a brief review of the various interrelated topics in SoSE is provided: • Philosophy. Its aim is research directed to developing theoretically consistent meanings of the paradigms in SoSE in the near future for reaching the maturity. • Theory. Concerns the explanation of all phenomena in relation to SoSE, investigation of explanatory models and testable conceptual frameworks. • Axiological developments. Axiology has a human-subjective component for establishing the underlying valuables via value judgment frameworks and belief propositions, that are fundamental to understand the perspectives of the SoSE area. • Axiomatic point of view. Axiomatic concerns with investigating new principles, concepts and laws that constitute the basic knowledge of the prospective area BIB001 . • Methodology considerations. They concern the research activity to develop theoretically relevant frameworks that provide powerful guidance for design, analysis, implementation and advances of SoSE projects BIB001 BIB002 . There is no SoSE methodology that is dominating in the area. Each SoSE concept is only appropriate for particular application, but it is not necessarily the best one. • Methods for investigation. They concern developing specific models, technologies, processes and tools for practitioners in SoSE. Most of the used approaches are adapted or extended from other research domains to be applied at the SoSE area. • Application development. It considers the progress in practical implementations of SoSE via installations of science-based technologies and methods. Untill now, there is not known any large list of illustrative examples, the so called "benchmarks" on the topic. To appreciate whether or not an application belongs to the SoSE area, the clarifying of some conceptual understandings must be considered: • Problem: nature, features and definition of contents in an applied SoSE task; • Context: aspects of the applied domain, embedding SoS and SoSE problems; • Overview: compatibility of the SoSE application, that define the problem framing, approach and interpretation of results; • Approach: creation of an appropriate methodological approach to solve a problem. Limitations on SoSE applicability to particular problems should also be placed. Evidently, not each problem is suitable for SoSE application. But up to now, there is no valid set of distinguishing features to classify the problems as suitable.