Systems-of-systems architecting: educational findings and implications

Systems architecting, as envisioned by Dr. Eberhardt Rechtin, fits effective solutions to highly complex systems for which no deterministic solution can be found. This paper covers the application of such concepts in an academic environment with the intent on preparing students to meet the challenges of complex system design for both commercial and government scenarios, including net-centric system-of-systems analysis and design. Our focus in this paper is on the content and delivery of such classes, with emphasis on findings and lessons-learned.