Foundations for Model-Based Systems Engineering: From Patterns to Models

The practice of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is becoming more widely adopted in industry, academia and commerce; as the use of modelling matures in the real world, so the need increases for more guidance on how to model effectively and efficiently. This practical book describes a number of systems-level “patterns” that may be applied using the systems modelling language SysML for the development of any number of different applications and as the foundations for a system model.

This is a companion volume to both SysML for Systems Engineering: A Model-Based Approach and Model-based Requirements Engineering, both published by the IET. Whereas the previous volumes presented the case for modelling and provided an indepth overview of SysML, this book focuses on a set of “patterns” as the basis of an MBSE model and their use in today’s systems engineering community.

Topics covered include an introduction to MBSE concepts, ontology and frameworks; what is a pattern?; interface definition pattern; traceability pattern; test case pattern; epoch/measurement pattern; life cycle pattern; evidence pattern; description pattern; context pattern; analysis risk pattern; requirements engineering – ACRE; system of systems requirements – SoS-ACRE; process modelling – ‘7 views’; competency modelling; life cycle management; project information modelling; model maturity levels; technology readiness levels; defi ning the patterns; using patterns for model assessment, model definition, and model retro-fitting.

Foundations for Model-Based Systems Engineering is essential reading for researchers and students of systems modelling in academia, as well as systems engineers, requirements engineers, software engineers, systems managers, requirements managers, and systems modelers in industry.

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction and approach
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Approach
Chapter 3. What is a Pattern?

Part II. The fundamental enabling Patterns
Chapter 4. Interface Definition Pattern
Chapter 5. Traceability Pattern
Chapter 6. Test Pattern
Chapter 7. Epoch Pattern
Chapter 8. Life Cycle Pattern
Chapter 9. Evidence Pattern
Chapter 10. Description Pattern
Chapter 11. Context Pattern
Chapter 12. Analysis Pattern
Chapter 13. Model Maturity Pattern

Part III. Applications of the Patterns
Chapter 14. Requirements Modelling
Chapter 15. Expanded requirements modelling – SoSACRE
Chapter 16. Process Modelling
Chapter 17. Competence Modelling
Chapter 18. Life Cycle Modelling

Part IV. Using the MBSE Patterns
Chapter 19. Defining Patterns
Chapter 20. Using Patterns for model assessment
Chapter 21. Using Patterns for model definition
Chapter 22. Using Patterns for model retro-fitting

Part V. Annex
Appendix A. Summary of SysML notation
Appendix B. Summary of the Framework for Architectural Frameworks
Appendix C. MBSE Ontology and glossary
Appendix D. The ‘Pattern Definition and Realisation (PaDRe)’ Processes