Bridging requirements and architecture for systems of systems

Abstract

A system of systems (SoS) is formed from existing independent component systems. Some reasons these independent systems might be combined include a merger or acquisition, a temporary partnership, because of the formation of an integrated supply chain, or if a service-oriented architecture is used. SoSs are difficult to analyze because of the scale of the integration, the components' independent existence, and the (potentially) conflicting nature of their requirements. We propose bridging between requirements analysis and architecture of an SoS by using an interdisciplinary approach. From Software Engineering we take iterating between requirements and architecture, and from Philosophy we take structured argumentation. Iterating between requirements and architecture is ideal for exposing issues with constructing a system of systems from existing artifacts. Structured argumentation is used to explore these issues, to inform the analysis, to reveal underlying assumptions in the analysis, and to help either establish system correctness to an acceptable level or provide rebuttals that invalidate the analysis.