Design traceability of complex systems

Abstract

The design of complex systems is itself an extremely complex and multi dimensional effort. Through analysis of system goals, operational contexts, and assessment of technologies, the design team develops concepts that support system design requirements. Like the design it supports, the design process is the result of investigation, intuition, tradeoff and decision. Historically however, it is difficult to appreciate the results of the design process outside the context in which the design process takes place. Without insight behind the rationale of a design, those who are left to operate, maintain, and support a system throughout its life cycle are forced to make blind assumptions regarding design intent (i.e., why did they design this way, why didn't they do it this way, I wonder what this is for?). As the complexity and integration of systems increase, design traceability is becoming increasingly more important to effective life cycle support. The paper discusses the role of traceability in design, techniques for establishing effective traceability and payoffs and consequences associated with effective and ineffective forms of traceability.