ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a human-centric treatment of the concepts of multi-scale analysis and emergence in system of systems (SoS) engineering, or more generally, complex systems engineering. Complexity requires that leaders, in particular, look at the desired big picture, and “tweak” selected variables they can control to try to steer their organization in that general direction. Emergence in an SoS is a result of what happens within and among the systems comprising the SoS, including human actions and relationships. Again, consider the problem facing an Organization attempting to manage an SoS. Some things can be learned about how such Organizations can become more successful, or at least remain viable, by examining factors that may have led to the collapse of such complex systems as human civilizations. Several areas of research that could greatly improve progress toward the goal of the effective/efficient development and sharing of information in such environments.
