An Attempt at Complex System Classification

Abstract

This paper searches for a useful taxonomy or classification scheme for complex Systems. There are two aspects to this problem: 1) distinguishing between Engineering Systems of interest to ESD (ES) and other Systems, and 2) differentiating among Engineering Systems. The first of these has been approached through general interaction with other ESD faculty and use of the ESD definitions. This analysis leads to a proposed specific set of ES which are human designed, have high technical and human complexity and are real, open, dynamic, have hybrid system states and have both autonomous and human-in–the loop subsystems or elements.