Art and architecture: Effectively communicating models of systems

Systems architecting has been considered for a long time both an art and a science. The systems architect uses heuristics, stories, and models to communicate complex architectural concepts to stakeholders. As adoption of modelbased systems engineering grows, and digital models of system architecture increase in use, there is a danger that the communications gap between system architects and the stakeholders they are working for will grow. Previous work created a competency model exploring the link between art, systems thinking, and systems architecture. A further conference panel entitled 'If architectures are so useful, why are they so seldom used?' inspired a discussion of the growing communications gap between the system architect as modeler and the system architect as communicator. Decision makers cannot read and interpret formal system models. However, principles and practices of systems architecture are exhibited in the creation of film scores, fine arts, and building architecture. Reflecting on the authors' experience as practitioners and educators of systems thinking and systems architecting, this paper discusses the need for formal education in the arts as a way to bridge the communication problems that technical architects have with their stakeholders.