| 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 | 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 |