This book restates and extends into the future the systems architecting paradigm described in Eberhardt Rechtin's Systems Architecting, Creating and Building Complex Systems (1991). Part I reviews classical architecting methods and extends the central role of heuristics. Part II uses case studies (new to this edition) to introduce five important domains: builder-architected systems, mass and lean production, manufacturing systems, intelligent transportation systems, and social systems. Part III develops the core architecting process of modeling and representation, and Part IV concentrates on the professionalism of the field through education, research, and peer- reviewed journals. Most of the book's exercises are thought problems, with no correct answers. About 30 pages of reference appendices are included, along with a glossary and a list of suggestions for reference texts for institutional libraries. This third edition is rewritten to reflect the latest advances in the field, and contains a new chapter on relationships between architecting and business strategy. The book can be used as a reference work for graduate students, for senior capstone courses in engineering and architecture, for executive training programs, and for self-study by consultants and system specialists. Rechtin (2006) taught at the University of Southern California. Maier is affiliated with Aerospace Corporation, Chantilly, Virginia. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)