Dr. Jo Ann Lane on System of Systems Capability-to-Requirements Engineering
Abstract: Given an existing set of interconnected, independent systems, often referred to as a system of systems (SoS), one of the key activities according to the DoD Systems Engineering Guide for Systems of Systems is “translating SoS capability objectives into high-level SoS requirements”. Capability engineering starts with understanding the desired capability and identifying various options for achieving that capability. Initial capability engineering is typically done by assessing available resources and assets to identify existing functions from which the new capability can be composed, followed by a gap analysis for each alternative identified. Finally, each alternative is further evaluated in terms of capability performance, cost, and schedule, resulting in information that can be used to support the trade decision. This presentation:
- Provides additional guidance for translating capability objectives into requirements
- Defines SoS engineering (SoSE) methods, processes, and tools (MPTs) that might support this activity
- Illustrates how the SoSE MPTs would be used and integrated to support SoS engineering using Regional Area Crisis Response SoS (RACRS) example
While many of the techniques and methods described here are not new, they are used in ways tailored to support SoS and SoSE analyses and integrated together through a process to support capability-to-requirements engineering in a more rigorous, repeatable manner, resulting in meaningful information about alternatives that can be used to support a final decision on how the capability will be implemented. The MPTs described here are illustrated using a notional example, RACRS, an example has been developed to support SoSE research using actual systems in the public domain that are employed to respond to regional crisis situations.
About the Presenter: Jo Ann Lane is a research assistant professor at the University of Southern California Center for Systems and Software Engineering, conducting research in the areas of software engineering, systems engineering, and system of systems engineering (SoSE). She was a co-author of the 2008 Department of Defense Systems Engineering Guide for Systems of Systems. Current areas of research include SoSE processes, SoSE cost modeling, and SoS constituent system interoperability. Prior to her current work in academia, she was a key technical member of Science Applications International Corporation’s Software and Systems Integration Group for over 20 years, responsible for the development and integration of software-intensive systems and systems of systems. She received her PhD in systems engineering from the University of Southern California and her Master’s in computer science from San Diego State University.
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