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9.3.1 Teaching SysML through a process led approach for systems engineering – lessons for the SysML standard
Author(s) -
Battersby David
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
incose international symposium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-5837
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-5837.2007.tb02963.x
Subject(s) - systems modeling language , unified modeling language , computer science , systems engineering , software engineering , context (archaeology) , process (computing) , engineering , programming language , geography , software , archaeology
The systems modelling language, SysML, supports the growing demand for model based systems engineering. This paper describes the design of undergraduate teaching material for SysML based upon an approach which maps the language to systems engineering needs. These needs are high level requirements for a systems engineering language, which are based upon elements of systems engineering lifecycle process standards. This approach is designed to show the capabilities of SysML and UML against the backdrop of a set of simple and logical activities which the students could identify in the context of their studies and industrial experience. The course material was successful in introducing the students to visual modelling through an initial analysis of UML for systems engineering, followed by the introduction of SysML where this adds value to the UML 2 standard. Lecture material and a practical session were used to emphasise this focus on systems problems, including hardware and human aspects. As these issues were addressed the information presented was assessed against the needs identified in order to show the value of SysML to the students. The comparison of the standard with the needs identified resulted in a compliance table that explored how well SysML supports systems engineering; this identifies a number of potential weaknesses of the language which can be seen as opportunities for the next iteration of the standard. The key difficulty identified when trying to apply the SysML standard was the lack of a methodology for the application of the language. This methodology would allow the use of SysML by engineers without previous experience of UML though providing a framework for use and education.