Complexity of system maintainability analysis based on the interpretive structural modeling methodology: Transdisciplinary approach

This paper outlines a diagnostic approach to quantify the maintainability of a Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS)-based system by analyzing the complexity of the deployment of the system components. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) is used to demonstrate how ISM supports in identifying and understanding interdependencies among COTS components and how they affect the complexity of the maintenance of the COTS Based System (CBS). Through ISM analysis we have determined which components in the CBS contribute most significantly to the complexity of the system. With the ISM, architects, system integrators, and system maintainers can isolate the COTS products that cause the most complexity, and therefore cause the most effort to maintain, and take precautions to only change those products when necessary or during major maintenance efforts. The analysis also clearly shows the components that can be easily replaced or upgraded with very little impact on the rest of the system.