The SoSE Navigator: A Meta-Methodology to drive Agility

Abstract

System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) is a prominent approach for the design, development and management of complex enterprise systems, such as defense capabilities. Much research has been conducted to improve SoSE with many approaches addressing discrete aspects of SoSE. This paper presents a novel meta-methodology – the SoSE Navigator – that uses multiple methodologies, processes and tools to holistically drive SoSE and enable agility and flexibility in practice. The SoSE Navigator emphasizes improving knowability and acknowledging areas of influence to address uncertainty and emergence. The SoSE Navigator pro-actively manages evolution by seeking satisficing solutions within risk tolerance and adaptation ability. The paper discusses the Navigator concept, an initial process and each of its supporting SoSE artefacts (typology, principles, methodology catalogue and metrics). The SoSE Navigator is designed to provide practitioners with practical guidance and tools to safely navigate the design and evolution of large, complex capabilities.