Larry D Cotton

Bio: Larry D Cotton is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Enterprise architecture & The Open Group Architecture Framework. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 4 citations.

Value-Driven Enterprise Architecture Score: Evaluation Applied to Joint Force Protection Future State Design

Abstract: : This research presents a methodology to evaluate the quality of a system's architecture using principles drawn from Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) and resulting in a Value-Driven Enterprise Architecture Score (VDEA-Score). This is an overall numerical quality score that can be used to identify the advantages and disadvantages of a system's design and associated architecture documentation, or to track its quality across discrete evaluation epochs. This effort determined which aspects of the architecture are most valuable to the stakeholder in the following areas: (1) the system's effectiveness values (quality of the instantiated system being represented and its ability to perform its stated mission), and (2) the architecture's quality values (intrinsic quality of the products themselves in terms of documentation standards and desired attributes). The results are reported across three theses. In this thesis, architecture documentation quality is assessed by examining usability, modifiability, accessibility, and other functions regarded as essential to any architecture. The evaluation methodology was tested against architectures from two enterprises, including the sponsor's enterprise of joint force protection. An overall architecture documentation quality score is reported for both enterprises which may be useful for identifying areas for potential improvement.

Force and Moment Measurements Applicable to a Flexible Weapons System

Abstract: Military operations are dynamic in nature, as time-dependent requirements or adversary actions can contribute to differing levels of mission performance among systems. Future military operations commonly use multi-criteria decision analysis techniques that rely on value-focused thinking (VFT) to analyze and ultimately rank alternatives during the Analysis of Alternatives phase of the acquisition process. Traditional VFT approaches are not typically employed with the intention of analyzing time-variant performance of alternatives. In this research, a holistic approach towards integrating fundamental practices such as VFT, systems architecture, and modeling and simulation is used to analyze time-dependent data outputs of an alternative’s performance within an operational environment. Incorporating this approach prior to Milestone A of the acquisition process allows for the identification of time-based capability gaps and additional dynamic analysis of possible alternatives that can be implemented as a flexible means of assessment. As part of this research, the pre-acquisition methodology is implemented with a hypothetical multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance mission in order to exemplify multiple time-dependent analysis possibilities.

A method of assessing the time-variant value of multi-domain architectures:

Abstract: Modeling and simulation continues to improve the ability to evaluate future complex concepts and conduct early systems analysis. While the systems engineering community now advocates model-based systems engineering, the actual integrated methods and tools need to be refined. This research synthesizes descriptive architectural depictions of multi-domain (air and space) concepts, simulates these concepts through a physics-based model, collects several performance metrics, and integrates them using value-focused thinking. The proposed method enables the assessment of alternatives whose value can increase or decrease over time, depending on the design properties and operational scenario. Three surveillance concepts are proposed, made up of a low-earth orbit satellite constellation, with varying payloads, and extended by an unmanned air system flying waypoints in the area of interest. Uniquely, this method shows promise of depicting time-variant value assessments of these concepts across the simulation.

A Time-Variant Value-Focused Methodology for Supporting Pre-Acquisition

Abstract: Military operations are dynamic in nature, as time-dependent requirements or adversary actions can contribute to differing levels of mission performance among systems. Future military operations commonly use multi-criteria decision analysis techniques that rely on value-focused thinking (VFT) to analyze and ultimately rank alternatives during the Analysis of Alternatives phase of the acquisition process. Traditional VFT approaches are not typically employed with the intention of analyzing time-variant performance of alternatives. In this research, a holistic approach towards integrating fundamental practices such as VFT, systems architecture, and modeling and simulation is used to analyze time-dependent data outputs of an alternative’s performance within an operational environment. Incorporating this approach prior to Milestone A of the acquisition process allows for the identification of time-based capability gaps and additional dynamic analysis of possible alternatives that can be implemented as a flexible means of assessment. As part of this research, the pre-acquisition methodology is implemented with a hypothetical multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance mission in order to exemplify multiple time-dependent analysis possibilities.

Lessons Learned in Applying Architecture to the Acquisition of Air Force Command and Control Systems

Abstract: : At the Air Force Materiel Command Electronic Systems Center, we are using architecture in multiple programs to support the acquisition of Air Force Command and Control systems. This use ranges from informally augmenting traditional requirements documents to actually delivering architecture products to the contractor as a formal representation of requirements. We also use architecture to ensure that programs better understand their operational and system context within the enterprise. The architecture activities described in this paper span the time frame from 1997 to the present. During that time, we've had varying degrees of success. On the one hand, we have found the architecture to foster significant communication between the user, the acquirer, and the developer mostly by having operational subject matter experts work directly with the acquirer and contractor in developing parts of the operational architecture views. In general, we have found that the use of a disciplined approach to architecture helps all stakeholders better understand the operational, system, and technical context in which they must operate. Conversely, we've found that additional attention is needed relative to working with contractors to incorporate the use of architectures into their system/software development processes and in applying architecture to support Enterprise Integration.