Complex Adaptive Systems Framework to

Evaluate Virtual Research Collaborations

Complex Adaptive Systems Framework to

Evaluate Virtual Research Collaborations

Arsev U. AydinogluNASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow

NASA Astrobiology Institutearsev.u.aydinoglu@nasa.gov

AgendaAgenda

• Traditional vs. Virtual Research Collaborations (VRC)

• Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)• Application of CAS framework to

VRCs• Conclusion

Traditional vs. Virtual Collaboration

Traditional vs. Virtual Collaboration

• Localized

• Top-down

• Face-to-facecommunication

• Structured, rigid

• Distributed

• Bottom-up (but not leaderless)

• Heavy use of Information and Communication Technology

• Fluid, flexible, adaptive

• More disciplines, institutions, people

Complex Adaptive SystemsComplex Adaptive Systems

• catastrophe• autopoiesis• chaos• dissipative structures• autocatalyctic process• attractors• multi-agent systems• thresholds and transformational processes• fractal geometry• fuzzy logic• systems theory

Complex Adaptive Systems FrameworkComplex Adaptive Systems Framework

Thietart & Forgues (1995)

Anderson (1999)

Mittleton-Kelly (2003)

Benbya & McKelvey

(2006)

Components x x

Diversity x

Interaction & interdependence

x x x

Feedback X x x

Far from equilibrium

x x

Self-organization & emergence

x x x x

Adaptation x x

Co-evolution x

Large number of components/agentsLarge number of components/agents

NASA Astrobiology Institute, 2011

Diversity & variationDiversity & variation

MIT Astrobiology Node, 2011

Interaction & interdependenceInteraction & interdependence

DataONE Organization Chart

Feedback – Nonlinearity Feedback – Nonlinearity

• Unpredictability

Far from the equilibriumThe edge of chaos

Far from the equilibriumThe edge of chaos

Emergence – Self OrganizationEmergence – Self Organization

Strange Attractors

Emergence & Self OrganizationEmergence & Self Organization

• Publications• Relationships• Grant proposals• New projects• WGs• Roles• Tasks• RQs• Others

Adaptation to environment/context – Learning – Pattern recognition

Adaptation to environment/context – Learning – Pattern recognition

• DataONE Working Group structure

• Superconducting Super Collider

• Sandbox by NSF

Co-evolutionCo-evolution

Virtual Collaboration

Virtual Collaboration

• Distributed

• Bottom-up

• Heavy use of Information & Communication Technology

• Fluid, flexible, adaptive

• More

• Components

• Emergence

• Interaction, feedback, coevolution

• Far from equilibrium, adaptation, coevolution

• Diversity, interdependence

CAS framework

CAS framework

Successful VRCsSuccessful VRCs

• Team composition• Leadership• Organizational structure• Environment• Co-evolution

Questions?

arsev.u.aydinoglu@nasa.govarsevu@gmail.com

Information Technology Working Group

Information Technology Working Group

• Composed of IT enthusiasts from each team across both institutes

• Meets virtually• Share lessons learned and knowledge• Test hardware, software and integration• Promote local adoption of technology and

participation• Immersed and tightly integrated with the

community

DataONEDataONE

Why traditional might have failed?Why traditional might have failed?

• The challenge vs. available resources

• Know-all vs. power of the masses• Geeks vs. Social Scientists• Funding environment• External & internal changes

DataONEDataONE

Chart to help select the best collaboration technology and advice for it’s useFrom RAND Report, “Challenges in Virtual Collaboration”