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Complexity of system maintainability analysis based on the interpretive structural modeling methodology: Transdisciplinary approach

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Abstract

This paper outlines a diagnostic approach to quantify the maintainability of a Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS)-based system by analyzing the complexity of the deployment of the system components. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) is used to demonstrate how ISM supports in identifying and understanding interdependencies among COTS components and how they affect the complexity of the maintenance of the COTS Based System (CBS). Through ISM analysis we have determined which components in the CBS contribute most significantly to the complexity of the system. With the ISM, architects, system integrators, and system maintainers can isolate the COTS products that cause the most complexity, and therefore cause the most effort to maintain, and take precautions to only change those products when necessary or during major maintenance efforts. The analysis also clearly shows the components that can be easily replaced or upgraded with very little impact on the rest of the system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79410, USA

    A. Ertas, M. W. Smith & T. B. Baturalp

  2. Department of Industrial Design, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China

    D. Tate

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79410, USA

    W. D. Lawson

Authors
  1. A. Ertas
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  2. M. W. Smith
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  3. D. Tate
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  4. W. D. Lawson
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  5. T. B. Baturalp
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Ertas.

Additional information

Atila Ertas, a professor of mechanical engineering, received his masters and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He had 12 years of industrial experience prior to pursuing graduate studies. Dr. A. Ertas has been the driving force behind the conception and the development of the transdisciplinary model for education and research. His pioneering efforts in transdisciplinary research and education have been recognized internationally by several awards. Dr. Ertas has written numerous technical papers, modules and books on transdisciplinary education. He is a Senior Research Fellow of the ICC Institute at the University of Texas Austin, a Fellow of ASME, a Fellow of SDPS, and a Founding Fellow of Luminary Research Institute in Taiwan. He is also an honorary member of International Center for Transdisciplinary Research (CIRET), France. PI or Co-PI on over 50 funded research.

Michael W. Smith received the B.S. in computer engineering from Mississippi State University. He received his degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University. He is an Engineering Fellow at Raytheon in Garland, Texas, where he works as technical director for hardware and infrastructure. Mike has over 20 years of experience in computer systems development and integration. His area of experience is COTS integration and computing infrastructure.

Derrick Tate is an associate professor and the Head of the Department of Industrial Design at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. He has carried out his research activities at the two ends of the research spectrum where they will have the greatest impact: fundamental research that provides a science base for the future of entrepreneurial engineering design and the application of design theories and tools to technology innovation. He aims to impact society through bringing design thinking to areas of strategic importance: assessing the innovative potential of design ideas, developing sustainable approaches for products, buildings, and manufacturing; and broadening participation in innovation. He received a B.S. in mechanical engineering degree from Rice University. His S.M and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering are from MIT in the areas of manufacturing and design, respectively.

William D. Lawson, P.E., Ph.D. serves as an associate professor on the faculty of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University. His research and creative activities encompass both technical and interdisciplinary domains. Technical research has focused on geotechnical engineering for transportation applications, primarily in the areas of soil/structure interaction, roadway maintenance, and foundations. Interdisciplinary research has focused on engineering education, engineering ethics and professionalism, and topics such as engineering judgment, risk, and decision making. Dr. Lawson is a licensed engineer and is active in various professional and technical societies. With over 30 years of experience in engineering education and practice, Dr. Lawson has provided project management and technical oversight for geotechnical, construction materials, transportation, environmental, and facilities projects nationwide.

Turgut Batuhan Baturalp received his B.S. and M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Yeditepe University, Turkey in 2009. Since September 2010, he is a Ph.D. student in Texas Tech University, Lubbock. His current research investigates design of artificial muscle activated blood pump and mock circulatory system testbeds. He has research interest in health care design including anthropomorphic bipedal walking robots, artificial muscles, and assistive devices. He has extensive research experience in robotics, biomimetic and biomechatronic design.

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Ertas, A., Smith, M.W., Tate, D. et al. Complexity of system maintainability analysis based on the interpretive structural modeling methodology: Transdisciplinary approach. J. Syst. Sci. Syst. Eng. 25, 254–268 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11518-016-5310-8

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