The "art" of design is to find a simple solution to a complex problem. Too many current systems and "systems of systems" are hideously complex solutions to hideously complex problems. They have not added much value with that approach.
The image above is an excellent example of that concept in practice...
How do you do it? Design a "rough draft" solution first, just to get everything to work (example on the left). Then iteratively redesign it and redesign it to find ways for every piece and part of the system to naturally serve more that one purpose or provide more than a single type of functionality. Every iteration of this type of redesign automatically reduces the number of parts in the system while also reducing its complexity (as shown on the right).
This process frequently increases the reliability of the system while also reducing its total costs. Simplicity is like a magic secret ingredient that makes everything better, but it can be very difficult to achieve (and is never, ever successfully delivered by a committee).
The "art" of design is to find a simple solution to a complex problem. Too many current systems and "systems of systems" are hideously complex solutions to hideously complex problems. They have not added much value with that approach.
The image above is an excellent example of that concept in practice...
How do you do it? Design a "rough draft" solution first, just to get everything to work (example on the left). Then iteratively redesign it and redesign it to find ways for every piece and part of the system to naturally serve more that one purpose or provide more than a single type of functionality. Every iteration of this type of redesign automatically reduces the number of parts in the system while also reducing its complexity (as shown on the right).
This process frequently increases the reliability of the system while also reducing its total costs. Simplicity is like a magic secret ingredient that makes everything better, but it can be very difficult to achieve (and is never, ever successfully delivered by a committee).
Parting ways with yesterday's now obsolete prototype is always sweet and sour. That expensive discard pile grows until one day, it only gathers dust.