Metanetwork Framework for Performance Analysis of Disaster Management System-of-Systems

The objective of this paper is to create and test an integrative framework for performance analysis of disaster management system-of-systems (DM-SoS). Effective disaster management systems and processes are critical for saving lives and protecting properties. However, the lack of integration between heterogeneous systems and entities involved in disaster management impacts coordination and operational efficiency. Greater integration and coordination among multiple heterogeneous entities is essential in improving performance and achieving network-centric disaster management. To address this gap, this paper, first examines the dimensions of analysis and a framework for a system-of-systems assessment of disaster management. In the proposed framework, the main entities include stakeholders, operations, resources, information, and infrastructure. Second, a metanetwork framework was employed to capture the network interactions among various types of entities. Then, measures of network efficiency (e.g., operational and coordination efficiency) were used to identify critical entities and evaluate the effectiveness of system integration strategies. The application of the proposed framework was shown in a case study of disaster management processes in the 2017 Hurricane Harvey. The findings highlight the importance of the SoS approach for evaluating the performance of disaster management processes under different disaster-induced perturbations (e.g., resources limitation, infrastructure disruptions, and lack of information). The findings also identify ways to improve system integration and coordination among various heterogeneous entities interacting in networks.