On Architecture: Systems Architecture

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) defines a system as “a construct or collection of different elements that together produce results not obtainable by the elements alone. The elements, or parts, can include people, hardware, software, facilities, policies, and documents, that is, all things required to produce system-level results. The value added by the system, as a whole, beyond that contributed independently by the parts, is primarily created by the relationship among the parts, that is, how they are interconnected.” Continuing, INCOSE notes “systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. It focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements, then proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem.”

By: Grady Booch

Published in: RC25024 in 2010

LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NOTICE:

This Research Report is available. This report has been submitted for publication outside of IBM and will probably be copyrighted if accepted for publication. It has been issued as a Research Report for early dissemination of its contents. In view of the transfer of copyright to the outside publisher, its distribution outside of IBM prior to publication should be limited to peer communications and specific requests. After outside publication, requests should be filled only by reprints or legally obtained copies of the article (e.g., payment of royalties). I have read and understand this notice and am a member of the scientific community outside or inside of IBM seeking a single copy only.

rc25024.pdf

Questions about this service can be mailed to reports@us.ibm.com .