Anticipatory capacity: Leveraging model-based approaches to design systems for dynamic futures

Abstract

The paper presents a vision for enhancing anticipatory capacity of engineering organizations, with a goal of enabling the design of systems that can deliver sustained value as the world changes. Anticipatory capacity is the capacity of an organization to continuously develop and apply knowledge acquired through a structured approach to anticipate changing scenarios as needs and context change over time, While anticipation has always had a role in designing systems; the availability of model-based methods has significant implications. Anticipatory capacity extends from three key elements: competencies, methods, and a model-based environment. The paper discusses ongoing and planned research in support of establishing anticipatory capacity in organizations by leveraging the opportunities of model-based engineering.