Systems of systems classification

Software Engineering 10

Maier’s classification of SoS

Directed

Collaborative

Virtual

Directed SoS are owned by a single

organization and are developed by

integrating systems that are also

owned by that organization.

This means that there can be a single

policy making (governance) body

within the organization that can

direct the implementation of system

policies.

The system elements may come from

different parts of an organization and

may be independently managed.

Collaborative SoS are systems where

constituent independent systems are

owned and governed by different

organizations.

System of system governance

depends on voluntary participation

in a governing body.

This governing body cannot direct

the implementation of policy as this

might conflict with the interests of

system owners.

Virtual systems have no central

governance and the participants may

not agree on the overall purpose of

the system.

Organizations may participate in the

SoS because it meets some

immediate need but may withdraw at

any time

Governance is the way in which

policies about the management,

operation and evolution are set

Governance is not the same as

management. Governance is about

aims and objectives; management is

about realizing these objectives

Governance-based classification

Directed = Organizational

Collaborative = Federated

Virtual = Coalitions

Organizational systems of systems

are SoS where the governance and

management of the system lies

within the same organization or

company.

An e-procurement system for a large

company that includes an ordering

system, an accounting system and

an asset management system

Federated systems are SoS where

the governance of the SoS depends

on a voluntary participative body in

which all of the system owners are

represented.

A disaster management system that

includes systems from fire, police

and ambulance services.

System of system coalitions are SoS

where there are no formal

governance mechanisms but where

the organizations involved informally

collaborate and manage their own

systems to maintain the system as a

whole.

An algorithmic stock trading system

that includes individual trading

systems from different companies

that deal directly with each other

System of systems classification

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20

iLearn is a relatively simple technical

system but it has a high level of

governance complexity.

To create a digital learning

environment, the technical digital

learning system has to be integrated

into a SoS with network management

and school administration systems.

There is no common governance

process across authorities so,

according to the classification

scheme, this is a coalition of

systems.

Organizational – governance directs

Collaborative – governance by

agreement

Virtual – informal governance