A system-of-systems is an assemblage of components which individually may be regarded as systems, and which possesses two additional properties: Operational Independence of the Components: If the system-of systems is disassembled into its component systems the component systems must be able to usefully operate independently. That is, the components fulfill customer-operator purposes on their own. Managerial Independence of the Components: The component systems not only can operate independently, they do operate independently. The component systems are separately acquired and integrated but maintain a continuing operational existence independent of the system-of-systems.”

https://hpi.de/fileadmin/user_upload/fachgebiete/giese/Slides/FSEN_2015_Keynote_-_Giese_-_Smart_Systems_of_Systems.pdf

Holger Giese