systemwhat

Systemwhat is a term used in information technology and systems engineering to describe a generalized framework for specifying, integrating, and governing complex systems. It encompasses a set of concepts, models, and tools intended to facilitate the design and analysis of systems that span software, hardware, networks, and organizational processes.

Overview and purpose: The idea treats a system as an assembly of interacting components and emphasizes describing what the system does—its observable behavior and requirements—rather than focusing solely on how individual parts are implemented. The word what signals an emphasis on outcomes, interfaces, and capabilities that must be realized across different domains.

Architecture and modelling: Systemwhat-inspired approaches typically rely on modular architectures, standardized interfaces, and the use of formal or semi-formal models. Practitioners may employ domain-specific languages, UML-like diagrams, ontology-based representations, or other modelling techniques to capture requirements, behavior, and relationships between subsystems. This supports interoperability, traceability, and change management.

Applications: The concept is used in various fields, including systems engineering, enterprise architecture, IT governance, industrial automation, and cyber-physical systems. It supports activities such as requirements capture, system integration planning, simulation, verification, and validation across heterogeneous components.

History and usage: Systemwhat emerged in industry discourse and some academic writings as a generic label for discussions about model-based and component-based system design. It is not tied to a single technology, standard, or organization, but rather serves as a placeholder for best practices in describing and coordinating complex systems.

See also: systems engineering, model-based systems engineering, interoperability, ontology, enterprise architecture.