System Architecture: Strategy and Product Development for Complex Systems, First Edition

6.5 Reasoning about Architecture Using Representations

Simplified System Representation

The view of the system architecture that we have developed may be too complete for many needs. Simplified or condensed versions of the representation may be adequate or even preferable, providing the right amount of information or providing it in a way more broadly understandable. Starting with the full representation of the system architecture (Figure 6.10), there are several approaches to producing a simpler rendition: Hide detail in abstractions, leave out detail, or project the system. The first approach is to create larger-scale abstractions to conceal details. Examining Figure 6.10, for example, we could create an abstraction for the motor assembly that ...