Systems of Systems

Definition A system of systems is a collection of independently useful systems which have been glued together to achieve further emergent properties. The primary design focus is on the interfaces, specifically the communication standards, as very little can be done to modify the monolithic systems. Collaborative Systems of Systems A collaborative system of system is composed of several systems working together for synergistic effects. Example -- Transportation Services at an Airport Chaotic Systems of Systems Chaotic (or virtual) systems of systems do not have a centralised management structure. Examples -- The Internet and Open Source Software Development The Internet operates only on recommended standards which the various systems voluntarily adopt. Chaotic systems of systems work because the various systems find the interface standards to be advantageous. Companies build web pages which adhere to the HTML standard not because they have to, but because it is economically advantageous to.

Section 7-1: April, 2003.