NSYS-6123  Systems Architecting (SY 723) 

Note: The following provides a suggested course description, objectives, and an outline. These may be modified pending discussion with the Faculty Chairs, proposing faculty, and other curriculum reviewers.

Representative Course Description:

This course will introduce students to the concept of Systems Architecting – an approach that goes beyond mathematical analysis and optimization of systems. The process of creating architectures dates back to ancient Egypt and the building of pyramids whose complexity still astounds designers and builders. Complexity creeps into many systems where the number of interrelationships among elements can far outnumber the number of elements themselves! It is essential for engineers to understand what is meant by system complexity. Qualitatively different problem-solving techniques are required when complexity is high. Analytical processes and tools are often not sufficient. At higher levels of complexity experience-based heuristics, abstraction, and integrated modeling become essential. It is also critical that engineers gain insight into how systems may be simplified and how to focus on the essentials only.

A Systems approach focuses on the system as a whole when deciding what is required and what is feasible. The process whereby engineers can determine and concentrate on the critical few details and interfaces that really matter will be the focus of the this course.

Representative Course Objectives:

• A brief review of classical architecting methods
• The classical architecting paradigm
• Extending the architecting paradigm
• Foundations of modern systems architecting
  • A systems approach
  • Modeling methodologies
• Heuristics as tools
  • What are heuristics
  • Selecting heuristics tools
  • Using heuristics
  • Heuristics for technology-driven systems
• Architected Systems
  • The form-first paradigm
  • Achieving balance between inherent conflicts
  • The System's life cycle
  • Technological substitutions within existing systems
  • Risks and uncertainties
  • Controlling critical features
  • Architecting revolutionary systems
  • Manufacturing Systems
  • Social Systems
  • Software and Information Systems
  • Collaborative Systems
• Models and Modeling
  • Representation Models and Systems Architecting
  • Design progression in System Architecting
  • Integrated Modeling Methodologies
• Simulation
  • Basic concepts of Discrete Systems Simulation
  • Systems, Models, and simulation
  • Common processes in discrete systems
  • Computer applications and tools
• Design Progression/concepts in Systems Architecting
• Architecture Frameworks
  • Defining an architecture framework
  • Current frameworks (US DoD C4ISR, ISO RM-ODP, IEEE P1471)
    

Prerequisite Knowledge:
SY 720 NT, Systems Engineering and Analysis or experience industry experience with Systems Engineering concepts and processes