Network-level metric measuring delay propagation in networks of interdependent systems

The development and acquisition of complex systems that are driven, in part, by system-of-systems requirements remains a challenge in the defense sector due to complexities in both program management and engineering design. The interdependencies between component systems often result in complex networks that, while enabling capabilities that are beyond those of individual systems, also increase risk and its consequences. When systems are interdependent, disruptions in the development of one system can easily propagate to systems directly or indirectly dependent on them. Characteristics of component systems, interdependencies, and risk can lead to disruptions that propagate differently in different networks. This paper presents an approach to compare the performance of such networks with respect to their ability to arrest the propagation of disruptions. A network-level metric enables the comparison of different network topologies that provide the same capability but have different risk properties.