A Data‐Centric System Architecture Model Development Process Emphasizing Rapid Tempo and Quality

Abstract

AbstractFor years the system engineering community has been armed with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and a host of vendor provided tools to facilitate requirements, architecture and design development. Nonetheless, teams repeatedly struggle to apply MBSE in part because they do not have a method to complement the language and the tools. This paper seeks to offer elements of method focusing on process, a powerful style to enable teamwork in a model, and set of flexible approaches to guide work which is consistent with that style. This paper focuses on an easy to use process for building a System Architecture Model (SAM), allowing for tailoring to meet program‐specific needs. The paper identifies and encourages the use of a variety of SAM development approaches which are focused on the themes of data centricity, consistency, commonality in style, and efficiently creating content that will answer most engineering questions related to architecture. This process is implemented in SysML as a “One Page Process”, and made openly available for download. Furthermore, automated validation via a rules‐based engine is leveraged to catch and correct defects nearly as quickly as they are generated as well as scale SAM development across a large diverse team of contributors. By leveraging and tailoring this process to meet program needs, one may improve the quality, development tempo, and rigor of their SAM.