Understanding the Systems Solution Landscape

In this chapter, a generic model for understanding the relationship between a situation responding to the situation and the system assets that are instantiated in the response is explored. This model can be applied for all types of engineering solutions. Working towards a solution (response) first involves understanding the problem or opportunity situation space, the potential response, and the system assets that are available or can be developed to provide a response. Thus, the first step involves systems thinking where the underlying properties and relationships are established and understood. The thinking activity is followed up with acting activities for planning, developing, and applying the response in order to change the situation to a desired situation state. A paradigm for coupling thinking and acting activities is provided as a guide. Organizing the development, deployment, and sustainment of systems (in particular software systems) is a major challenge of the solution landscape. Consequently, the properties of an international standard on systems engineering as well as a standard on “essence” are shown to be viable approaches to addressing the systems solution landscape. A major contributing factor to complexity in system solutions is related to the selection of an appropriate architecture as well as following the right approach to change management. Finally, a systems solution approach, leading to a lightweight architecture in organizing and operating enterprises, is presented.