Applying Model-Based Systems Engineering in Complex System-of-Systems
Glen Alleman MSSM
Applying Systems Engineering Principles, Processes & Practices to Increase Probability of Program Success for Complex System of Systems, in Aerospace & Defense, Enterprise IT, and Process and Safety Industries
I'm working on a Guide for deploying Digital Engineering in the Defense domain guided by the Department of Defense Digital Engineering Strategy.
The foundation of this strategy and the Australian Defence Force Digital Engineering Strategy, is Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), which, according to the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), is the formalized application of modeling to support system requirements, design, analysis, verification, and validation activities beginning in the conceptual design phase and continuing throughout development and later life cycle phase.
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has emerged as a transformative methodology in the defense Digital Engineering domain, fundamentally changing how complex military systems are conceived, developed, and maintained. By replacing traditional document-based processes with dynamic, interconnected models, MBSE provides a single source of truth that enhances traceability, consistency, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. MBSE supports integrating system requirements, design, performance, and operational data in the defense sector, enabling real-time analysis and informed decision-making. At its core, MBSE in defense applications provides a structured approach to system development that replaces traditional document-centric methods with interconnected models representing various aspects of the system throughout its lifecycle. This approach enables defense organizations to manage complexity better, reduce risks, and improve system quality while accelerating development timelines and reducing costs. Implementing MBSE in defense contexts particularly emphasizes the need for rigorous security considerations, interoperability requirements, and compliance with military standards and specifications.
The application of MBSE in defense Digital Engineering manifests across several key areas. In requirements management, MBSE enables the creation of precise, traceable, and verifiable system requirements that can be directly linked to design elements and verification procedures. This traceability becomes crucial in defense systems where requirements often stem from multiple stakeholders and must address complex operational scenarios. In architecture development, MBSE provides frameworks for creating comprehensive system architectures that can be analyzed for performance, security, and reliability before physical implementation begins. These architectural models serve as the foundation for system development and are continuously refined as requirements evolve or new technologies emerge.
A primary advantage of MBSE is its ability to integrate various disciplines and stakeholders within a unified environment. Through a shared modeling framework, MBSE promotes collaboration among engineers, program managers, and decision-makers, ensuring all parties access consistent and up-to-date information. This integration is especially critical in environments like the Department of Defense (DoD), where systems must be interoperable and scalable to meet mission needs.
MBSE supports cross-functional teams by enabling trade-space analyses, real-time simulations, and iterative design evaluations. This ultimately reduces misunderstandings and ensures that all efforts align with overarching objectives.
Integrating MBSE with other Digital Engineering tools and methodologies has enhanced its effectiveness in defense. MBSE models enable digital twins, which provide real-time representations of physical systems for monitoring, analysis, and optimization. Advanced simulation capabilities, powered by high-fidelity models, enable realistic training scenarios and support better system deployment and operation decision-making. Furthermore, integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning with MBSE models has opened new possibilities for automated design optimization, predictive maintenance, and autonomous system behavior analysis.
Model-based systems Engineering (MBSE) is a transformative methodology used in Digital Engineering to enhance the design, analysis, and management of complex systems. MBSE integrates system requirements, design, analysis, verification, and validation into a cohesive framework, replacing traditional document-centric processes with model-driven approaches. This ensures that all stakeholders can collaborate effectively using shared models as the single source of truth, improving consistency and reducing errors throughout the system lifecycle.
In the Digital Engineering domain, MBSE is a formalized approach to Systems Engineering that is revolutionizing the Digital Engineering domain. By leveraging digital models as the primary means of communication and collaboration, MBSE enables a more efficient and effective development process. This shift from document-centric to model-centric engineering fosters a shared understanding of system requirements, design, and behavior among diverse stakeholders.
Model-based systems Engineering (MBSE) is an approach to Systems Engineering that uses digital models to represent and analyze complex systems. The DoD can use MBSE to improve its products and systems' efficiency, quality, and innovation.
MBSE enables precise system design utilizing digital models to define and validate requirements early in development. MBSE tools like SysML® (Systems Modeling Language) provide graphical representations of system structures, behaviors, and interactions in the Digital Engineering domain. These models facilitate early detection of design flaws and ensure systems meet functional, performance, and interface requirements. MBSE also allows for scenario simulations and trade-off analyses, ensuring optimal design decisions based on quantitative data.
One of the key benefits of MBSE is its ability to facilitate early identification and resolution of issues. Simulating and analyzing system behavior in a virtual environment can detect and address potential problems before physical prototypes are built. This significantly reduces development costs and time-to-market. MBSE enables the creation of Digital Twins, virtual replicas of physical systems used for predictive maintenance, optimization, and training.
MBSE involves creating and using Digital Models to represent the system's structure, behavior, and requirements. These models can simulate system performance, identify potential issues, and optimize designs. By using MBSE, DoD will accelerate development cycles, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of their systems.
Model-based systems Engineering (MBSE) improves the efficiency and effectiveness of complex system development. It provides a structured approach to Systems Engineering using Digital Models, enabling engineers to visualize and simulate system behavior early in the design process. This allows enhanced collaboration between stakeholders, reduces ambiguities, and minimizes the risk of costly design errors.
MBSE also promotes a systems thinking approach, encouraging engineers to consider the entire system lifecycle, from concept to disposal. By modeling the system's interactions with its environment, MBSE helps ensure its design is resilient, adaptable, and sustainable. Furthermore, MBSE supports the integration of various engineering disciplines, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among teams.
This data-centric approach enables the DoD to make informed decisions about design trade-offs, resource allocation, and potential modifications, ensuring that systems efficiently meet mission requirements.
MBSE is a powerful tool for Digital Engineering, enabling DoD to develop complex systems more efficiently, effectively, and reliably. By embracing MBSE, DoD can unlock the full potential of digital transformation and gain a competitive edge in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.
MBSE is critical in developing and deploying Digital Twins, a core concept in Digital Engineering. Digital twins require accurate and dynamic models to mirror physical systems, and MBSE provides the structured framework for creating these models. By integrating real-time sensor data, MBSE-based Digital Twins enable predictive maintenance, performance optimization, and scenario testing, significantly improving the operational outcomes of the resulting physical system.
MBSE enhances lifecycle management in Defense programs by:
Adopting MBSE in the Digital Engineering domain fosters innovation with tools for rapid prototyping and iterative development. MBSE’s integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, enhances the modeling process and decision-making capabilities. MBSE’s adaptability to changing requirements ensures that systems remain responsive to evolving external needs, making it an essential enabler of agility in modern engineering programs.
Applying MBSE to Digital Engineering (DE) in DoD transforms how military systems are conceived, developed, and managed. MBSE shifts from traditional document-based approaches to a model-centric framework, enabling the creation, integration, and use of digital models throughout the system lifecycle. This approach provides a comprehensive and dynamic representation of systems, ensuring that requirements, design, analysis, and testing are interconnected and traceable. By incorporating MBSE into DE, DoD enhances collaboration across disciplines, streamlines decision-making, and reduces development timelines while improving complex defense systems' overall quality and performance.
MBSE's integration with DE enables DoD to leverage advanced tools like Digital Twins and simulation environments, providing real-time insights into system behavior under various operational conditions. This capability supports iterative design and validation processes, enabling engineers to identify and address potential risks early.
Looking toward future applications, MBSE in defense Digital Engineering continues to evolve with emerging technologies and methodologies. The increasing emphasis on system-of-systems architectures in military applications requires MBSE approaches that can effectively model and manage complex interactions between multiple independent systems. Cybersecurity considerations are becoming more deeply integrated into MBSE practices, reflecting the growing importance of digital resilience in military systems. Additionally, adopting cloud-based MBSE tools and collaborative platforms enables better coordination among geographically dispersed teams and supports more efficient development processes. These advancements suggest that MBSE will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of defense system development and deployment.