Human systems exploration for ideation and innovation in potentially disruptive defense and security systems

This chapter describes a paradigm that can systematically help to address disruption, ideation and innovation in defense and security systems: the science, craft and art of human systems exploration (HSE). Starting with an introduction of the topic and an overview of the history of this field, the chapter will sketch the theory behind exploration, the metaphor of exploration, a system model, human systems dialectics and resulting tension fields. Helpful process metaphors like design space, use space and value space will be introduced and prototypical exploration processes with stakeholders sketched. Human imagination is identified as the most powerful tool, mental models as the fundamental representation of the physical world in human or machine cognition, motivation and inspiration as the most valuable fuel for innova-tive explorations. As nothing shows the value of theory better than practical examples, each block of theory is exemplified with ongoing activities either directly in defense and security systems, or in related e.g. safety critical systems, which can be used as blueprints also for defense and security. As human systems exploration is in 2021 a relatively new field of research and development, also potential future directions are sketched. Related to this, another focus is on the assessment of disruptive potential, chances and risks associated with new innovations found in an exploratory process, which forges a bridge from human systems exploration to the field of technology assessment. This is especially relevant with regard to defense and security technology as their application can affect human lives and integrity. Hence, ethical, legal and societal questions of responsibility and accountability need to be considered from early stages of the innovation process. An outlook into the future sketches the demand for future research, development and implementation of the exploratory paradigm.