This document provides a set of critical system of systems (SoS) considerations to be addressed at key points in the life cycle of the system of interest (SoI). This document refers to considerations that apply to an SoI that is a constituent system that interacts in an SoS. The considerations and life cycle model align with those which are already defined in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748‑1. Selected subsets of these considerations can be applied throughout the life of systems through the involvement of stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to achieve customer satisfaction, so that when delivered, the SoI will operate effectively in the operational or business environment which is typically characterized as one or more systems of systems.

This document concerns those systems that are man-made and are configured with one or more of the following: hardware, software, humans, procedures and facilities.