System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-2006-TN-036DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
10.1184/R1/6584570.v1Topic or Tag
Abstract
Systems of systems introduce complications for information technology (IT) governance because their individual system components exhibit considerable autonomy. This technical note examines the ways in which six key characteristics of good IT governance are affected by the autonomy of individual systems in a system of systems. The characteristics discussed are (1) collaboration and authority, (2) motivation and accountability, (3) multiple models, (4) expectation of evolution, (5) highly fluid processes, and (6) minimal centrality. This report examines each characteristic in detail and, where possible, provides guidance for the practitioner.
Cite This SEI Report
Morris, E., Place, P., & Smith, D. (2006, October 1). System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought. (SEI Report CMU/SEI-2006-TN-036). Retrieved August 12, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6584570.v1.
@techreport{morris_2006,
author={Morris, Edwin and Place, Pat and Smith, Dennis},
title={System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought},
month={Oct},
year={2006},
number={{CMU/SEI-2006-TN-036},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
doi={10.1184/R1/6584570.v1},
url={https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6584570.v1},
note={Accessed: 2026-Aug-12}
}
Morris, Edwin, Pat Place, and Dennis Smith. "System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought." (CMU/SEI-2006-TN-036). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, October 1, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6584570.v1.
E. Morris, P. Place, and D. Smith, "System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, SEI Report CMU/SEI-2006-TN-036, 1-Oct-2006 [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6584570.v1. [Accessed: 12-Aug-2026].
Morris, Edwin, Pat Place, and Dennis Smith. "System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought." (SEI Report CMU/SEI-2006-TN-036). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Oct. 2006. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6584570.v1. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.
Morris, Edwin; Place, Pat; & Smith, Dennis. System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought. CMU/SEI-2006-TN-036. Software Engineering Institute. 2006. DOI: 10.1184/R1/6584570.v1. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6584570.v1