Challenges in the Development of Cyber-Physical Systems – Insights from Research and Industrial Practice

Despite the growing importance of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), there is still no consolidated overview in academic literature of the key challenges faced in their development. This study addresses this gap by combining a systematic literature review (2019–2024) with an exploratory survey of industry practitioners. The review identified 54 distinct challenges, with system complexity, interoperability, and modeling among the most frequently cited. The survey broadly confirmed the relevance of these challenges. However, the study also revealed additional, practice-driven challenges, including cybersecurity, tool fragmentation, and organizational frictions. The findings emphasize the necessity for integrated, model-based CPS development approaches that ensure consistency across domains and system generations, thereby establishing a foundational framework for subsequent research and method development.