ESD.342 | Spring 2006 | Graduate

Advanced System Architecture

Calendar

Instructors

CM = Christopher Magee
JM = Joel Moses
DW = Daniel Whitney

LEC # GOALS TOPICS INSTRUCTORS KEY DATES
1 Introduction and Objectives - What we want to understand better and why it matters Syllabus Review - Assignment etc. Timing

Vision(s) of Architecture Theory

Instructors Background and Biases Relative to System Architecture etc.

All Assignment 1 out
2 Basic foundations for course emphasizing ways of thinking and biases System Typologies and Systems of Interest in the Course

Terms and Definitions - Emphasis on Architecture, Complexity, Function, Performance, Utilities, Models, Constraints

Expansion on Key Concepts Beyond Definitions

CM

3 Have students begin to uncover their own biases and assumptions important in systems architecture Student Presentations and Discussion

Brief Discussion of SDM Architecture Course

Brief Discussion of Assignment 2

All Assignment 1 due

Assignment 2 out

4 Introduction to Graphs, Networks, Hierarchies and DSM’s Models and Model Improvement

Graph Theory Introduction

Network “Science” History Including DSM’s

Relationship of Architecture/Structure and Metrics (Importance of Data)

DW

5 Discussion and identification of focus systems whose architectures we will study all semester

Project Definition

Student Presentations on Systems for Deeper Study (Data Sources and Objectives)

Project Discussion and Choice Process

Choices/Assignments Finished on Weekend After Class

CM Assignment 2 due

Assignment 3 out

6 Network Observational Methods and Quantitative Metrics I: Simple Concepts Network Analysis Terminology

Social Networks Concepts: Centrality, Clustering, Prestige and Acquaintance

Degree Distribution, Assessment and Meaning of Power Laws

CM

7 Constraints I Deeper Discussion of Concept of Constraints

Power and Information as Clear Example of Constraints on System Structure

Implications to Structural Characteristics/Metrics

Effects on Modularity

DW

8 Canonical structures and their organizational implications Linking Human and Technical Systems at the Structural Level

Cooperation and Competition

Teams/Families/Clans and the Emergence of Hierarchy

Hierarchy: Layers, Trees, Mixtures and Hybrids-routers and Interpreters

Cultural Links, Tradeoffs

JM

9 Complexity and Flexibility Complexity and Flexibility for Canonical Structures

Abstractions in Algebra

JM

10 Network Observational Methods

Degree Correlation-introduction

Community Structure Approaches

DW

11 Network Observational Methods Motifs

Hierarchy of Function

Coarse-graining and Technical Systems

Revisit Modularity

CM

12 Network Models Typology of Network Models - Predicting Structure/Metrics or Predicting “Properties” from Structure/Metrics and Level of Network Simplicity

Random Networks, Small-world and Preferentially Attached Networks

Cascades, Failures and Epidemics as an Example

CM

13 Student Presentations on Project Status Short Presentation by each Student Team and Discussion

Project 1 due
14 Affiliation Networks, Navigation and Search on Networks Milgram Experiments

Early “Explanations” by Small World (and Random Network Models

Kleinberg I and II, Watts, Dodds and Newman

Search on the www

CM

15 Constraints II and Scaling and Allometry Revisit System Typology

Revisit Constraints

Explore Possible Implications on Structural Metrics

Scaling Laws in Different Contexts

DW

16 Enterprise Architectures Germany, Japan and US Cultural Influences on Organizational Structure

Sloan, Oichi and Piore and Sable

JM

17 Modeling Enterprise Architectures Constraints - Social, Physical, Political, Time-based - and their effect on structure and behavior Research on Organizational Theory

Simple, Quantitative Models and their use in Model/Theory Improvement

Sah and Stiglitz

Dodds, Watts and Sable

CM

18 Technical and some sociological networks compared in greater depth Continuation of Constraints and Scaling in Engineering Systems

Degree Correlation Patterns in Different Technical Systems

DW

19 Student reports on their focus architectures Quantitative Analyses and Model Building Status

Project 2 due
20 Second generation models of technological systems Internet Models Including Business and Technical Tradeoffs

Air Transport Modeling Including the Role of Nodes

Complexity Metrics

CM

21 Systematics in other fields Taxonomy in Early Biology

Taxonomy in Biology Today - Cladograms and the Cladists

Taxonomy in Economics - Econophysics and Dendrograms

Hierarchy Definition by Distance

Hierarchy by Betweenness

CM Assignment 3 due
22 Standards and the practice of complex system architecture, design and standards Engineering System Evolution and the Role of Standards

Standards in Different Systems

Standards as an Interdependent Set of Artifacts

CM

23-24 Final Presentations Long Team Presentations

Project 3 completed
25 Overall discussion of presentation and further elaboration of theory and architecture

All Project written report due
26 Final day of class-course wrap-up and discussion of quality of emerging models and theoretical needs

Course Info

Learning Resource Types
Lecture Notes
Projects with Examples
Activity Assignments with Examples
Written Assignments