Architecture of Complex Systems
MIT xPRO | Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods of Complex Systems
Course Project Sequence | April 2026 - May 2026
The Architecture of Complex Systems course introduced foundational methods for understanding, decomposing, and communicating complex engineering systems. The coursework progressed from basic systems thinking and function-form relationships to more advanced architectural reasoning, modularity, design structure matrix analysis, change propagation, ambiguity reduction, and architect deliverables.
Early assignments used a simple refracting telescope to explore system boundaries, entities, functions, operands, emergence, and decomposition. Later assignments expanded into a manned research submersible system, which provided a more complex electromechanical example involving safety, buoyancy, propulsion, power, control, navigation, communication, scientific payloads, and crew support.
Week 1: Systems Thinking — Simple Refracting Telescope
This project introduced systems thinking by analyzing a simple refracting telescope as a product system. The work identified the telescope’s primary form and function, defined the system boundary, identified internal entities, mapped relationships between entities, and considered both intended and unintended emergence.
The telescope was treated as a system that collects, focuses, and magnifies light to produce a clear image for the user. Intended emergence was represented by a clear image, while unintended emergence was represented by a blurry image caused by misalignment of components such as the lens, eyepiece, or focuser.
Concepts demonstrated:
System boundary definition
Form and function identification
System entities and relationships
Intended and unintended emergence
System decomposition
Week 2: Function and Emergence — Refracting Telescope Functional Architecture
This project expanded the telescope analysis by focusing on operands, internal functions, and the primary value pathway through the system. The value-related operand was identified as light, which changes from unfocused light, to converged light, and finally to a focused image.
The work also included an OPM-style representation showing how physical forms such as the objective lens, eyepiece lens, focal tube, telescope housing, lens shade, mounting structure, and focuser enable the processes of converging, focusing, and supporting alignment.
Concepts demonstrated:
Value-related operands
Operand transformation
Internal functions and processes
Functional pathway development
OPM-style system representation
Relationship between form, process, and delivered function
Week 3: System Architecture — Manned Research Submersible
This project introduced a manned research submersible as a more complex system architecture case. The work began with stakeholder needs, including the need to safely navigate deep-water environments, support crew life, collect scientific data, communicate mission status, and return reliably to the surface.
The project developed solution-neutral functions and candidate forms for the system, then identified major architectural decisions such as crew capacity, power architecture, hull architecture, crew environmental control, propulsion and steering, sample collection, and ballasting architecture. These decisions were evaluated based on their connectivity and sensitivity across the system.
Concepts demonstrated:
Stakeholder needs analysis
Solution-neutral functions
Function-to-form mapping
Architectural decision identification
Sensitivity and connectivity analysis
Complex electromechanical system architecture
Week 4: Modeling with DSMs and Modularization — Manned Research Submersible
This project decomposed the manned research submersible into major subsystems and lower-level elements. The system decomposition included hull and structure, ballast and buoyancy, propulsion and steering, power, control and navigation, communication, and scientific payload systems.
A design structure matrix approach was used to analyze system coupling, modularity, and change propagation. Highly connected elements included the navigation computer, power distribution unit, power cabling, motor controllers, and equipment mounting structure. These elements were identified as likely sources of downstream change impacts across control, power, propulsion, communication, and payload systems.
Concepts demonstrated:
System decomposition
Design structure matrix reasoning
Modularization
Interface awareness
Change propagation analysis
Identification of highly connected system elements
Week 5: System Architect — Manned Research Submersible
The final project viewed the manned research submersible from the role of the system architect. The work developed an architectural representation of the system, identified sources of ambiguity, and assessed which architect deliverables had been produced or still needed further development.
The ambiguity analysis considered open questions related to depth rating, mission duration, redundancy, scientific payload capacity, ballast system behavior, and communication capability. The architect deliverables section also identified remaining needs such as external interface definition, interface control, and verification and validation traceability planning.
Concepts demonstrated:
System architecture representation
Sources of ambiguity
Open engineering questions
Architect deliverables
Interface control needs
Verification and validation traceability planning