Central Challenges in Modeling and Analyzing Enterprises as Systems

Abstract

Twelve major systems engineering and management challenges are posed. These challenges need to be addressed successfully if the promises of information technology and knowledge management are to be realized. These challenges concern our abilities to deal with traditional issues including systems modeling, emergent and complex phenomena, and uncertainties and control. The rapid evolution of digital technologies raises issues concerned with access and utilization of information and knowledge, understanding information and knowledge requirements, creating information and knowledge support systems, increased dependence on inductive reasoning, and the infodemic of misinformation and disinformation. All of the above lead to challenges for planning and design, as well as measurement and evaluation. Successful pursuit of these challenges will enable trade-offs between optimization and agility, as well as opportunities to create learning organizations.