A framework to address the impact of system of systems integration using commercially off the shelf (COTS) technology

Abstract: For systems engineering, systems integration (SI) establishes linkages between hardware (HW), software (SW), products, services, processes and humans. Over the last decade the world of systems development has evolved rapidly particularly in the use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products as elements of larger systems. The growing trend toward COTS-based systems (CBS) architectures is based on modular components available within the market. This trend has presented various challenges for systems engineering practitioners attempting to understand the implications of using COTS products within these large and complex projects. This paper analyses those unique aspects of COTS products that influence the SI process differently than the integration of 'in-house' custom developed products

A Framework to Address the Impact of System of Systems Integration Using Commercially Off the Shelf (COTS) Technology

For systems engineering, systems integration (SI) establishes linkages between hardware (HW), software (SW), products, services, processes and humans. Over the last decade the world of systems development has evolved rapidly particularly in the use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products as elements of larger systems. The growing trend toward COTS-based systems (CBS) architectures is based on modular components available within the market. This trend has presented various challenges for systems engineering practitioners attempting to understand the implications of using COTS products within these large and complex projects. This paper analyses those unique aspects of COTS products that influence the SI process differently than the integration of \u27in-house\u27 custom developed products

A Framework for Requirements Engineering Method Selection

There are many requirements engineering (RE) methods that assist in elicitation, analysis and management of requirements. Each providing benefits enabling teams to control the inefficiencies associated with the application of a \u27one size fits all\u27 process. In a time-to-market driven (or rapid) development environment the challenges of applying these methods to system requirements management is extremely complex. This paper provides a comparative analysis of some common RE methods based on the IEEE 1233 standard. IEEE 1233 was selected in presenting this methodology since it provides excellent guidance in developing requirements and as a result strengthens the most crucial aspects of the frontend of system development. In this paper, the authors have proposed a framework called \u27Eff-REM QChar\u27 (an effective RE method framework based on quality requirement characteristics) for selection of the RE method best suited for the development situation and environmental constraints

A Systems Approach to Creating a Sustainability Performance Benchmarking and Reporting Framework

While there have been several innovations in the field of corporate sustainability over the last decade, many companies have found the activities involved in data gathering and analysis to support monitoring and reporting of sustainability information to be extremely time consuming and lacking in clear answers of risk and return. Corporate sustainability management (CSM) is gaining grounds recently. CSM looks at the dependence of a company\u27s viability on its ability to create optimal profit without causing environmental damage and social problems in the community (Rahardjo, 2013). The purpose of this research is to establish a benchmarking framework that creates a systematised method for comparative,reporting of sustainability information in order to lower the barrier to entry for companies struggling to invest in sustainability

Feasibility of a Rapid Systems Engineering Framework: An Exploratory Study

Systems Engineering (SE) has been traditionally viewed as an extremely rigorous approach for having resource intensive processes often perceived to involve bureaucratic decision making; therefore, deemed to be affordable only by large companies and government institutions. However, in recent years, the commercial industry is trying to leverage the benefits of SE by selecting the relevant aspects that apply to them and customising SE to a leaner and compressed version. This paper explores the suitability and the feasibility of rapid approaches and techniques to the existing SE processes. More specifically, this paper describes 22 techniques of rapid systems engineering (RSE) during the design and implementation processes, relevant to those processes and lessons learned. These techniques are applied to the 14 SE processes as illustrated by the SE standard - ISO 15288. An exploratory survey was developed by the authors based on the SE process activities as per ISO 15288 to evaluate application utilising a rapid approach in current projects from various industries. This paper provides conclusions to applying rapid techniques to the SE processes based on existing literature and the experiences of the projects surveyed. It concludes with a discussion of potential research projects for the evaluation of RSE