Title: Improving agility by knowledge driven and collaborative system of systems engineering: a case study

Authors: Emrah Asan; Semih Bilgen

Addresses: Airbus Defence and Space, Landshuter Str. 26, D-85716 Unterschleissheim, Germany; Information Systems Department, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey ' Computer Engineering Department, Yeditepe University, A-411, Kayisdagi Caddesi, Atasehir, 34755, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: In this paper, empirical research aiming to improve agility in SoS architecting by a model-based, knowledge-driven and collaborative approach is reported. The approach is based on eliciting existing knowledge, visualising it by immediate modelling, verifying consistency of the knowledge by continuous review, and identifying and planning for missing knowledge. Agility is mainly achieved via: 1) performing these activities concurrently in modelling workshops, where operational, functional and physical aspects of the solution are developed simultaneously; 2) with the collaboration of cross domain/organisation knowledge sources. Continuous customer training is another tool adopted for enhancing collaboration effectiveness with the customer. Formulated steps were implemented and assessed in a case study. From the practitioner's point of view, lessons learned in the scope of this study can help companies to speed-up the shift from traditional systems engineering to architecture-driven, knowledge-focused and model-based SoS engineering practices.

Keywords: agile systems engineering; system of systems engineering; agile SOSE; knowledge-driven systems engineering; model-based systems engineering; collaborative systems engineering; requirements last approach; continuous customer trainings; deep dive architecture workshops; border security; case study; agility; knowledge elicitation; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2015.071457

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2015 Vol.6 No.3, pp.186 - 220

Received: 24 Sep 2014
Accepted: 27 Nov 2014
Published online: 28 Aug 2015 *

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