Using a Model Based Systems Engineering Approach for Aerospace System Requirements Management

Since systems engineering encompasses the entire scope of a system, successful systems engineering should embody efficient requirements management through a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is an emerging field, which applies a model-based framework to the elements of a system comprised of requirements, system functions, analysis results, validation and verification artifacts. The effective comprehension of a complex system is more easily visualized through a model-based approach than a document centric one. The representative models and the inherent traceability which one receives through visual associations provides more effective requirements traceability and analysis; and, thus leading to fewer technical risks, earlier detection and resolution of issues, and helps keep schedules and costs in check. This approach yields better, clearer, and more concise requirements and in turn aids in more effective verification and validation processes as well as more expedient impact analyses of unforeseen changes. This paper describes MBSE through SysML (System Modelling Language) by application on a complex aerospace system. The study qualitatively and quantitatively discusses the value addition of such an implementation using commercially available tools that equip SysML to achieve MBSE in systems. SysML is a domain-specific modeling language developed for systems engineering to specify, analyze, design, optimize, and verify systems. From a practitioner's standpoint, this MBSE approach can be used to engineer any complex system from satellite programs to transport networks.