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Towards Applying Normalized Systems Concepts to Modularity and the Systems Engineering Process

Authors:
Peter De Bruyn
Herwig Mannaert

Keywords: Normalized Systems, Modularity, Systems engineering, Evolvability, Systems theoretic stability

Abstract:
Current organizations need to be able to cope with challenges such as increasing change and increasing complexity. Modularity has frequently been suggested as a powerful means for reducing that complexity and enabling flexibility. As Normalized Systems (NS) theory has proven to introduce this evolvable modularity in software systems, this paper further explores the generalization of NS systems engineering concepts to modularity and the systems engineering process in general, and organizational systems in particular. After emphasizing the distinction between blackbox and whitebox perspectives on systems, we focus on the importance of employing exhaustively defined interfaces as a prerequisite to obtain `true' blackbox modules. Some aspects of the functional/constructional transformation are discussed. Finally, six additional interface dimensions are proposed as possible aspects to be included in such exhaustive interfaces when considering organizational modularity.

Pages: 59 to 66

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2012

Publication date: February 29, 2012

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4243

ISBN: 978-1-61208-184-7

Location: Saint Gilles, Reunion

Dates: from February 29, 2012 to March 5, 2012