A feature-based approach to conceptualisation, upfront modelling, and planning for the future of complex systems

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges of conceptualising, modelling, and planning for the future of complex systems with diverse physical, software, and/or cyber components during feasibility analysis. Specifically, the challenges dealt with included how to identify features; how to model the system, synergies, and operations upfront; and how to predict aspects such as the performance, assembly time, and cost in the fuzzy front-end stage of systems development processes. We present the techniques and scheme we developed and illustrate their applicability by using a practical example of complex medical rehabilitation device. We show that they provide a systematic way of identifying components and features. We discuss how features can be used as the basis for building functional, structural, or full-fledged system model upfront. These models show which functional and non-functional features the system would be comprised of, and can therefore also be used as the basis for investigating flows of information, energy, and/or materials, and for making predictions and planning for the future.Keywords: complex systems; conceptualisation; modelling; prediction.Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Opiyo, E.Z. (2017) 'A feature-based approach to conceptualisation, upfront modelling, and planning for the future of complex systems', Int.