Problem Framing: Identifying the Right Models for the Job

In the world of modeling, we are now confronted with a new problem. The richness of the tools and methods available to us now have led to an “agony of abundance” when it comes to available options for modeling a system. The recently released Unified Architecture Framework, for example, has specified 71 possible architecture views that can be created. How can systems engineering cope with all the choices? How do you effectively choose the right models? How do you determine the appropriate contents of the models you do choose? This paper presents a Problem Framing approach that facilitates selection of the right models for the job, the ones that can add the greatest value and have the greatest utility for the various potential users of these models, and those that can provide the greatest insight into system trade‐offs and successful outcomes.