This document discusses different classifications of systems of systems (SoS) based on their governance structures: 1) Directed SoS are owned by a single organization and have a centralized governance body that can direct policy implementation. 2) Collaborative SoS involve systems owned by different organizations, with governance dependent on voluntary participation in a governing body that cannot direct policy. 3) Virtual SoS have no central governance and participants may withdraw at any time, governing themselves informally. It also provides examples of different SoS classifications like an e-procurement system illustrating an organizational SoS and a disaster management system as a federated/collaborative SoS.

1. Systems of systems classification
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2. Maier’s classification of SoS
Directed
Collaborative
Virtual

3. Directed SoS are owned by a single
organization and are developed by
integrating systems that are also
owned by that organization.

4. This means that there can be a single
policy making (governance) body
within the organization that can
direct the implementation of system
policies.

5. The system elements may come from
different parts of an organization and
may be independently managed.

6. Collaborative SoS are systems where
constituent independent systems are
owned and governed by different
organizations.

7. System of system governance
depends on voluntary participation
in a governing body.

8. This governing body cannot direct
the implementation of policy as this
might conflict with the interests of
system owners.

9. Virtual systems have no central
governance and the participants may
not agree on the overall purpose of
the system.

10. Organizations may participate in the
SoS because it meets some
immediate need but may withdraw at
any time

11. Governance is the way in which
policies about the management,
operation and evolution are set

12. Governance is not the same as
management. Governance is about
aims and objectives; management is
about realizing these objectives

13. Governance-based classification
Directed = Organizational
Collaborative = Federated
Virtual = Coalitions

14. Organizational systems of systems
are SoS where the governance and
management of the system lies
within the same organization or
company.

15. An e-procurement system for a large
company that includes an ordering
system, an accounting system and
an asset management system

16. Federated systems are SoS where
the governance of the SoS depends
on a voluntary participative body in
which all of the system owners are
represented.

17. A disaster management system that
includes systems from fire, police
and ambulance services.

18. System of system coalitions are SoS
where there are no formal
governance mechanisms but where
the organizations involved informally
collaborate and manage their own
systems to maintain the system as a
whole.

19. An algorithmic stock trading system
that includes individual trading
systems from different companies
that deal directly with each other

20. System of systems classification
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21. iLearn is a relatively simple technical
system but it has a high level of
governance complexity.

22. To create a digital learning
environment, the technical digital
learning system has to be integrated
into a SoS with network management
and school administration systems.

23. There is no common governance
process across authorities so,
according to the classification
scheme, this is a coalition of
systems.

24. Organizational – governance directs
Collaborative – governance by
agreement
Virtual – informal governance