Title: Modelling and measuring the operability of interdependent systems and systems of systems: advances in methods and applications

Authors: Paul R. Garvey; C. Ariel Pinto; Joost Reyes Santos

Addresses: The MITRE Corporation, 202 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01730-1420, USA ' Old Dominion University, 241 Kaufman Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA ' George Washington University, 1776 G St NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA

Abstract: Interdependency is an important consideration in managing systems and systems of systems. Included in this consideration is identifying, representing, and measuring the ripple effects of dependencies between systems and consumers who rely on their products and services. Anticipating these effects enables planners to minimise dependency risks that, if realised, can have cascading impacts on the ability of systems to deliver services. This paper presents advances in modelling interdependent systems by integrating two methods: functional dependency network analysis (FDNA) and the inoperability input-output model (IIM). Their integration enables hierarchical modelling of perturbations to systems at the physical or operational network levels. To highlight the insights gained by integrating FDNA and IIM, a simulated electric power system that feeds a large metropolitan area is presented. This simulated case demonstrates that other consequence measures, such as the inoperability metric presented herein, must be used in conjunction with monetary objectives to generate holistic prioritisation strategies.

Keywords: systems engineering; engineering management; dependency risks; interdependent systems; systems of systems; enterprise systems; inoperability input-output model; IIM; functional dependency network analysis; FDNA; modelling; interdependent systems; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2014.060880

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2014 Vol.5 No.1, pp.1 - 24

Received: 18 Apr 2013
Accepted: 10 Sep 2013
Published online: 30 Jun 2014 *

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