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 |
