Finger Lakes Chapter

Our Next Event

Complexity in Systems of Systems: Principles of Complexity Theory Provide a Basis for Systems of Systems

Date: Thursday, August 21st, 2008, 6:00 pm

Place: Four Finger Lakes area locations (some sites require RSVP)

Meeting Agenda

6:00 pm Teleconference set-up & brief business meeting
6:15 pm Featured Presentation (See below)
7:15 pm Adjourn and Networking

Abstract

Today’s environments are dominated by complex Systems of Systems (SoS). As a result, systems engineers now have the challenge to create systems of unprecedented scope and complexity. The SoS environment is characterized by its own challenges, such as an extended life cycle, legacy systems as components, and ongoing re-architecting throughout the lifecycle of the system and its component systems. Success under these conditions requires a sound design, managing complexity, maintaining the integrity of that design, and supporting shifting operational priorities over significant time spans while avoiding the lurking potential of chaotic conditions. This short presentation describes how complexity theory, developed over more than 25 years, provides a theoretical basis for today’s systems of systems by discussing:
• Systems of Systems Concepts. Examples of military and commercial SoS. What is a system of systems? What are its primary characteristics? Why does an SoS represent a paradigm shift?
• Complexity Theory Applied to SoS. Basic concepts of complexity. “The Edge of Chaos,” and why this is a good thing. Some effects of complexity: Nonlinear dynamics and increasing return, Small worlds and strange attractors, Patterns, Emergent properties, Self-organization. Examples of how these effects happen in real SoS. How systems engineers work with these effects and use them to help evolve the SoS.

Mr. Eric Honour, President of Honourcode, Inc.

About the Presenter

Mr. Eric Honour has been in international leadership of the engineering of systems for over a decade, part of a 37-year career of complex systems development and operation. His energetic and informative presentation style actively involves class participants. He was the founding Chair of the INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering) Technical Board in 1994, was elected to INCOSE President for 1997, and continued as Director of the Systems Engineering Center of Excellence (SECOE). He was selected in 2000 for Who’s Who in Science and Technology and in 2004 as an INCOSE Founder. He is on the editorial board for Systems Engineering. He has been a systems engineer, engineering manager, and program manager at Harris Information Systems, E-Systems Melpar, and Singer Link, preceded by nine years as a US Naval Officer flying P-3 aircraft. He has led or contributed to the development of 17 major systems, including the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation systems, the Battle Group Passive Horizon Extension System, the National Crime Information Center 2000, and the DDC1200 Digital Zone Control system for heating and air conditioning. Mr. Honour now heads Honourcode, Inc., a consulting firm offering effective methods in the development of system products. Mr. Honour has a BSSE (Systems Engineering) from the US Naval Academy and MSEE from the Naval Postgraduate School.