Title: Leadership and foresight in complex system governance

Authors: Dave Walters

Addresses: Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

Abstract: Complex system governance (CSG) is an emerging field focused on addressing complex systems and related problems. CSG is related to system of systems engineering (SoSE) in that both are concerned with integration of multiple complex systems with the desired outcome of capabilities beyond those available by the individual systems. Specifically, CSG focuses on the design, evolution, and execution of (metasystem) functions essential for system operations and survival (viability). Included are functions for monitoring the system's environment and developing reactions to changes encountered therein. Foresight is a process to expand awareness and clarify emerging conditions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence foresight might have on the functions performed by the CSG environment monitoring and metasystem development/evolution subsystems, and the role of leadership in designing and enabling the means for those functions to be performed.

Keywords: system of systems; SoSs; complex systems; foresight; leadership; complex system governance; CSG.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2018.093903

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2018 Vol.8 No.3, pp.249 - 267

Received: 07 Mar 2018
Accepted: 10 Mar 2018
Published online: 08 Aug 2018 *

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