| 1 |
Intro 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 |
(PDF 1)
(PDF 2)
(PDF 3)
(PDF 4) |
| 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, Uilities, Models, Constraints
Expansion on Key Concepts Beyond Definitions |
CM |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF - 1.9 MB) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 9 |
Complexity and Flexibility |
Complexity and Flexibility for Canonical Structures
Abstractions in Algebra |
JM |
(PDF) |
| 10 |
Network Observational Methods |
Degree Correlation-introduction
Community Structure Approaches
|
DW |
(PDF - 1.3 MB) |
| 11 |
Network Observational Methods |
Motifs
Hierarchy of Function
Coarse-graining and Technical Systems
Revisit Modularity |
CM |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 13 |
Student Presentations on Project Status |
Short Presentation by each Student Team and Discussion |
|
|
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 15 |
Constraints II and Scaling and Allometry |
Revisit System Typology
Revisit Constraints
Explore Possible Implications on Structural Metrics
Scaling Laws in Different Contexts |
DW |
(PDF) |
| 16 |
Enterprise Architectures |
Germany, Japan and US Cultural Influences on Organizational Structure
Sloan, Oichi and Piore and Sable |
JM |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF - 2.2 MB) |
| 19 |
Student reports on their focus architectures |
Quantitative Analyses and Model Building Status |
|
|
| 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 |
(PDF - 1.5 MB) |
| 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 |
(PDF) |
| 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 |
(PDF - 1.3 MB) |
| 23-24 |
Final Presentations |
Long Team Presentations |
|
|
| 25 |
Overall discussion of presentation and further elaboration of theory and architecture |
|
All |
(PDF 1)
(PDF 2)
(PDF 3) |
| 26 |
Final day of class-course wrap-up and discussion of quality of emerging models and theoretical needs |
|
|
|