Michael Vinarcik | University of Detroit Mercy (original) (raw)

Papers by Michael Vinarcik

INCOSE International Symposium, 2024

Among other benefits, the adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or Digital Engineeri... more Among other benefits, the adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or Digital Engineering (DE) is expected to decrease the number of escaped errors in a project by enabling early error detection within the modeling environment. This contributes to reducing the costs associated with corrective activities, which are generally greater in later phases of development. This paper provides an empirical insight into error detection through a study of models developed by students in a graduate MBSE course, where they leveraged the use of automated rule checking within the modeling tool. The dataset covers 10 editions of the course, spanning 2016-2023, and contains 601 models. The study shows that the term project models resulted in nearly zero latent errors when non-stylistic rules are concerned, with most of the latent errors categorized as stylistic rather than fundamental violations.

The Department of Defense's Digital Engineering Strategy (adopted in June 2018) has five ... more The Department of Defense's Digital Engineering Strategy (adopted in June 2018) has five goals: 1. Formalize the development, integration, and use of models to inform enterprise and program decision making 2. Provide an enduring, authoritative source of truth 3. Incorporate technological innovation to improve the engineering practice 4. Establish a supporting infrastructure and environment to perform activities, collaborate, and communicate across stakeholders 5. Transform the culture and workforce to adopt and support digital engineering across the life cycle. 1 For this strategy to succeed, stakeholders must willingly participate in the cultural transformation and use system models as they are intended: as living, dynamic, integrated sources of information that communicate intent with rigor and clarity. Moving from disjointed documents and air-gapped information sources to a single source of truth is important. However, the explosive growth in system complexity is causing a new, unwanted emergent behavior: In an information-rich world, the wealth of information means a dearth of something else: a scarcity of whatever it is that information consumes. What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it. 2 Because stakeholders are becoming overwhelmed with information from multiple sources, effective system modeling cannot solely focus on the creation of competently executed, integrated system models. It must also facilitate the creation of visualizations and derived products that allow stakeholders to efficiently identify and consume relevant information.

2022 AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, Jan 4, 2022

Effective instruction in system modeling requires an emphasis on hands-on exercises. This paper p... more Effective instruction in system modeling requires an emphasis on hands-on exercises. This paper presents lessons learned from coordinating and grading eight collaborative and integrated SysML models; in addition, it includes extracts from team projects and metrics related to model size and style conformance.

2020 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Jun 22, 2020

The creation of descriptive models using SysML is a skill-focused discipline; the outcomes of a m... more The creation of descriptive models using SysML is a skill-focused discipline; the outcomes of a modeling effort depend upon the abilities of the modelers contributing to it. Ongoing shortages of skilled modelers are inhibiting the transition of systems engineering to a model-based discipline.
This paper illustrates the use of validation rules to support instruction (both stand-alone modeling exercises and a larger, collaborative modeling project). Validation rules have proven to be effective in reducing modeler errors when added incrementally in parallel with concepts introduced in class. The rules simplify grading (since the instructor can focus on value-added content instead of semantic correctness). In addition, the rules conform to the Seven Keys to Effective Feedback proposed by Grant Wiggins:
1. Goal-Referenced (Error reduction/style conformance)
2. Tangible and Transparent (Rules clearly explain what is wrong)
3. Actionable (Error messages direct the modeler how to fix the issue)
4. User-Friendly (Private feedback that marks elements with to simplify repair)
5. Timely (On demand and rapid feedback eliminates errors before they accumulate)
6. Ongoing (Available throughout the course of any modeling project)
7. Consistent (All students receive the same feedback).
The rules were continuously updated throughout the term in which they were introduced; students corrected new errors and improved their model quality as they executed their term projects. Extracts from six team projects will be presented and contrasted with selected past projects (subjected to the same validation rules) to demonstrate the efficacy of the approach. Several models published by notable SysML modelers will also be analyzed.

2019 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering Technology Symposium, Aug 13, 2019

The Department of Defense's Digital Engineering Strategy (adopted in June 2018) has five goals: 1... more The Department of Defense's Digital Engineering Strategy (adopted in June 2018) has five goals: 1. Formalize the development, integration, and use of models to inform enterprise and program decision making 2. Provide an enduring, authoritative source of truth 3. Incorporate technological innovation to improve the engineering practice 4. Establish a supporting infrastructure and environment to perform activities, collaborate, and communicate across stakeholders 5. Transform the culture and workforce to adopt and support digital engineering across the life cycle. 1 For this strategy to succeed, stakeholders must willingly participate in the cultural transformation and use system models as they are intended: as living, dynamic, integrated sources of information that communicate intent with rigor and clarity. Moving from disjointed documents and air-gapped information sources to a single source of truth is important. However, the explosive growth in system complexity is causing a new, unwanted emergent behavior: In an information-rich world, the wealth of information means a dearth of something else: a scarcity of whatever it is that information consumes. What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it. 2 Because stakeholders are becoming overwhelmed with information from multiple sources, effective system modeling cannot solely focus on the creation of competently executed, integrated system models. It must also facilitate the creation of visualizations and derived products that allow stakeholders to efficiently identify and consume relevant information.

2019 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Jun 16, 2019

Competent execution of descriptive models in SysML, the system modeling language, facilitates rig... more Competent execution of descriptive models in SysML, the system modeling language, facilitates rigor and analysis in support of systems architecture and engineering activities. However, this requires mastery of SysML, the selected modeling tool, and the method used. A semester-long course is not long enough to provide students with adequate time and experience to independently construct a high-quality model.
This paper details the content and use of the hypermodel profile, originally released by the author in 2017. It contains an organizational structure, stereotypes, queries, analysis aids, metrics, and quality checks that can be leveraged by students. Use of the profile allows students to focus on the intellectual content of their assignments while modeling in compliance to a provided style guide. It permits them to experience the benefits of automated quality checks, detailed inferential queries, and other modeling aids without having to have the advanced knowledge to construct them independently. This approach also exposes students to the full benefits of a sophisticated model and encourages them to explore and gain deeper insights into their system of interest.
The specifics of the hypermodel profile will be presented, including its organization, content, and customizations. Guidelines for its use will be presented in conjunction with lessons learned from its use at the University of Detroit Mercy in the Master of Science Product Development, Systems Engineering Certificate, and Advanced Electric Vehicle programs.

2019 ASEE North Central Section Conference, Mar 23, 2019

Document-Intensive Systems Engineering (DISE) is inadequate to the task of developing complicated... more Document-Intensive Systems Engineering (DISE) is inadequate to the task of developing complicated and complex systems. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) was created to address this gap. System modeling software continues to grow in power and capability but there is a shortage of individuals capable of using these tools to their fullest potential. This dearth of talent is slowing the transformation of systems engineering to a model-based discipline. A muddle of publications that obscure high-quality content compounds this problem. Every moment spent on a low-value paper or book robs practitioners of growth. This presentation will share a curated collection of heuristics, resources, and techniques aimed at maximizing the return on an individual's investment. Case studies, philosophy, and discussions from antiquity to today will be compiled into an integrated program for personal development. An emphasis will be placed on resources to help students and practitioners to understand the problem at hand, its context, and how to assess it in a systems context.

2018 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering Technology Symposium, Aug 9, 2018

System modeling is continuing to grow in importance as the enabling discipline for digital engine... more System modeling is continuing to grow in importance as the enabling
discipline for digital engineering. Descriptive system models can be used as the “central nervous system” of a system development effort (to federate a constellation of analytical models and other engineering content).
Hypermodeling is a methodology focused on maximizing model elegance through the efficient generation of a descriptive system model (with appropriate supporting content). It emphasizes the most simple, direct approach to rigorously capturing relevant information. Hypermodels use a limited set of model elements, relationships, and properties and seek to maximize the amount of information derived from the model.
The NeMO hypermodel, an example built by students at the University of
Detroit Mercy, provides a comprehensive demonstration of this approach and includes behavioral, structural, and analytic information as well as metrics and requirements.
It is hoped that this large example will serve as a focus for discussion and experimentation in the system modeling community. Links to hypermodeling tutorial videos are available for study and comment at the hypermodeling website: http://hypermodeling.systems.

2017 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Conference, Aug 10, 2017

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has grown in popularity since the introduction of SysML a ... more Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has grown in popularity since the introduction of SysML a decade ago. Pockets of modeling excellence have developed within many government, industrial, and educational organizations. Few, if any, have achieved " wall-to-wall " adoption. This paper will focus on a key component of a successful system modeling efforts: the individuals who must translate sound systems engineering into robust, useful system models. The author routinely teaches systems architecture, systems engineering, and system modeling and will share methods and techniques for identifying and growing modeling talent. Success depends as much upon mindset and approach as it does upon understanding tool user interfaces and modeling conventions. Published texts, class exercises, videos, and case studies can be used to shape engineers' problem-solving methods. In addition, a craft system (with apprentice, journeyman, and master modelers engaged in interlocking skill development and mentoring) has shown significant promise as a way to increase the number of competent modelers. Best practices, high-value resources, and working groups (such as those organized by the International Council on Systems Engineering) will be highlighted.

2017 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Jun 27, 2017

Best Paper Award, Systems Engineering Division Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is transfor... more Best Paper Award, Systems Engineering Division
Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is transforming how systems engineering is practiced. System modeling with SysML (the Systems Modeling Language) drives rigor and crispness into the formulation of system behavior, structure, and parametrics. The author has introduced MBSE into the Systems Architecture and Systems Engineering courses that are part of the MS Product Development (MPD) program at the University of Detroit Mercy. This presentation will discuss lessons learned over the course of several years, culminating in the capstone project from the Spring 2016 Systems Engineering course.
In that course, students were required to model a polar exploration submarine, starting from a handful of system elements provided by the instructor. Over the course of the exercise, the students matured the model, increasing its detail and complexity through organic growth. The final outcome was a respectable fraction of the size of large, professionally executed efforts (such as the 30 meter telescope model still under development).
The significant advantages in clarity, consistency, and overall integrity of a model-driven systems engineering effort will be highlighted; an emphasis will be placed on derived work products (tables, matrices, and derived properties) and their ability to provide relevant content to stakeholders.

As systems become more complicated, managing them from conceptual design through disposal has bec... more As systems become more complicated, managing them from conceptual design through disposal has become significantly more difficult. Traditional process- and document-based methods often struggle to cope with the realities of designing and fielding modern engineered systems; relevant information can become segmented and out-of-sync, leading to costly errors.
The International Council on Systems Engineering initiated a Model-Based Systems Engineering initiative nearly fifteen years ago; one of the fruits of this effort is the System Modeling Language (SysML). Modern SysML tools are quite mature and have considerable capabilities to capture, characterize, and connect information.
A number of efforts are currently underway to maximize the value of SysML models, including the development of visualization, co-simulation, and robust model integration. An entire ecosystem of adjacent tools is evolving that will significantly impact the practice of systems engineering within the next five years. The author will present an integrated look at publically-available information about existing worldwide efforts and their implications for systems engineering practitioners.

This article describes a deep space mission where more forthright information exchanges between t... more This article describes a deep space mission where more forthright information exchanges between teamed but rival agencies could have preserved the original plan as well as saved much time and money. The topic may be of particular interest to those involved in institutional collaborations where there are vested interests in protecting rather than sharing information.

For addition information, refer to the closely related topics of Information Management, Organizing Business and Enterprises to Perform Systems Engineering and Fundamentals of Services.

Systems Architecture (SA) is a key discipline in Systems Engineering; robust architectures enable... more Systems Architecture (SA) is a key discipline in Systems Engineering; robust architectures enable
success and flawed architectures limit performance. However, SA is challenging to teach students because it is less of a “hard” science. At the University of Detroit Mercy, students in the MS Product Development (MPD) and Advanced Electric Vehicle (AEV) Certificate programs are exposed to a full term of SA. This class stresses the development of heuristics through exposure to mini case studies, class discussions, and several projects (including a field trip to the Henry Ford Museum to study multiple examples of competing historical architectures). The capstone project in this class requires teams of students to create a new architecture for a given set of criteria. One recent final project involved the creation of a space probe architecture that could meet
mission objectives given a challenging set of constraints and the creation of DODAF Viewpoints to communicate the architecture.

2010 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium, 2010

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is the central component of the ... more The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is the central component of the Army’s long - term Tactical Wheeled Vehicle (TWV) strategy. The program’s objective is to balance critical weight and transportability restrictions within performance, protection, and payload requirements of the United States Army and Marine Corps.
One of the challenges faced by the JLTV program is the need to balance the “Iron Triangle” of performance, protection, and payload while managing the disparate requirements of the domestic services and international partners. The JLTV team developed processes to manage the cost, performance, and schedule risks associated with each of the three contractors participating in the Technology Development phase. This paper will describe the risk management processes and tools developed on the JLTV program to manage and mitigate these contractor risks and extract those that could impact the entire program.

Robust systems architecture (SA) and systems engineering (SE) processes are necessary for the dev... more Robust systems architecture (SA) and systems engineering (SE) processes are necessary for the development of successful engineering systems. Many notable product failures can be traced to breakdowns in the architectural or systems engineering practices of the design team. Despite the increased emphasis being placed on systems engineering, many systems engineering textbooks and references focus on specific tools (such as requirements or interface management systems). The few case studies included in these works are typically not exhaustive. However, for individuals in a given working environment, developing expertise in a specific tool not used by one's workgroup adds little value. The presenters believe that it is more useful to help individuals cultivate an intuitive understanding of architectural and systems engineering issues. For that reason, they have augmented traditional SE textbooks and teaching resources with mini- and maxi-case studies. Using topics drawn from throughout human history (from ancient tombs and medieval cathedrals to the Airbus A380/Boeing 787 and NASA space missions), the presenters showcase both notable successes and failures. This enhances learning and retention of key topics and enables students to internalize key SA/SE principles. Cases may be presented using a variety of media (including PowerPoint slides, audio-visual presentations, or show-and-tell artifacts). They may be used as lead-ins to a traditional classroom lecture or as the kernel of a roundtable discussion among peers in the workplace. This tutorial will demonstrate the principles the presenters use to identify case study candidates, research methods used to develop the framework of the presentations, and techniques used to develop a holistic SE mindset. Several case studies will be interleaved with the presentation; one maxi-case (intended to be the focus of an entire class period) will be presented as the capstone of the tutorial.

The discipline of systems engineering is receiving more attention from both the academic and prac... more The discipline of systems engineering is receiving more attention from both the academic and practicing engineering communities. Many high-profile engineering failures (including several recent NASA missions and a variety of product recalls) have all been traced to breakdowns in systems engineering.

However, the architecture of an engineering system has an even greater impact on its performance, robustness, and properties. Outstanding systems engineering and detail design cannot salvage an architecture that is fundamentally flawed. Despite architecture’s importance, many organizations do not explicitly explore alternatives and “jump” directly to systems-level design. This prematurely collapses the design space and squanders the opportunity to explore alternatives at the least costly phase in the design process.

Therefore, it is important to educate engineering managers about the key role that both systems architecture and systems engineering play in the success or failure of an engineering system. It is the belief of the authors that this may be accomplished reasonably well in a single course in programs where a more in-depth course sequence is not a realistic option. Although combining these topics restricts the depth at which either may be taught, there are natural synergies that allow this combination.

The goal of this combined course is to familiarize the engineering management students with both systems architecture and systems engineering, to understand the common pitfalls associated with each, and to begin to develop a mindset that continually considers architectural and systems engineering consequences of management decisions. The course focuses more on the “what” and “why” of systems architecture and systems engineering and less on the “how.” Detailed discussion of specific tools (such as DOORS) is omitted or significantly abbreviated to allow more time to be spent on fundamentals and case studies.

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

Good systems architecture and systems engineering processes are key enablers for the development ... more Good systems architecture and systems engineering processes are key enablers for the development of innovative, robust engineering systems. Many product failures can be traced directly to breakdowns in the architectural or systems engineering practices of the design team.

Despite the increased emphasis on systems engineering, most systems engineering textbooks tend to focus on specific tools (such as requirements or interface management systems) or describe the systems engineering and systems architecting process in a rather generic discussion. Case studies are typically brief and relatively sparse.

A typical teaching approach is to introduce a tool, illustrate how the tool can be applied, introduce another tool, etc. However, cultivating expertise in specific tools that may not be in use by a student’s employer adds little value – particularly if the student misses the holistic understanding of the topic because he is focusing on details of the tool. The authors believe that it is more useful to focus on teaching students to intuitively understand architectural and systems engineering issues. For that reason, they have adopted a case-based approach to teaching these topics.

Using topics drawn from history (ancient tombs and medieval cathedrals) and current events (the Airbus A380/Boeing 787 and the Ansari X Prize Competition), the authors present a broad spectrum of cases to their students. This engages the students, sparks classroom discussion, and enhances learning and retention of key topics.

The cases are presented using a variety of media (including PowerPoint slides, audio-visual presentations, or show-and-tell artifacts). The cases are typically used as lead-ins to the lecture, allowing the instructor to draw upon the outcomes (both positive and negative) of the case to illustrate key learning principles in the main lecture. Relevant and useful tools are still taught (such as QFD, Design Structure Matrices, functional decomposition, etc.) but the case studies provide interesting, motivational examples illustrating the need for such tools and the authors find it useful to ask the students to discuss how the tools of today might be (or have been) utilized in the design of the subjects of the case studies.

Case studies are also assigned as homework, allowing the students to research a topic and draw their own conclusions from their research and the course material. These assignments are sufficiently structured to foster students’ development but allow them some latitude to explore the topic. The purpose is to develop their analytical skills and encourage holistic viewpoints rather than requiring simple rote learning.

This paper will summarize several of the specific case studies which the authors use and discuss how each one is tied to specific topics and learning objectives of the courses. This case-based approach has been applied to separate, semester long courses in Systems Architecture and Systems Engineering as well as a condensed version of those two courses (a single semester course entitled Systems Architecture and Systems Engineering).

In the early 20th century, engineers were closely coupled to the products they created. Tinkerers... more In the early 20th century, engineers were closely coupled to the products they created. Tinkerers and inventors built upon their existing experiences and innovated. Many grew up working on farm implements or other mechanical devices and developed a deep, intuitive understanding of how mechanisms worked. As the century progressed, the propagation of the automobile gave several generations of engineers the opportunity to develop their skills by rebuilding engines, tinkering with suspensions, and performing general maintenance. Today, in the generation of video games and automobiles so complex that few owners venture to work on them, many new engineering graduates have not had sufficient hands-on experiences to develop a strong intuitive understanding of mechanical and electrical systems. They have neither soldered their own crystal radios nor built their own machinery; a general deglamorizing of skilled trades has reduced or eliminated shop classes and students are now more at home in a virtual world. It is now possible for engineers to design parts they never see or touch-not to mention fabricate; this often results in a poor overall understanding of the system being designed and contributes to the proliferation of poor designs. Unfortunately, this gap has led to a generation of engineers who lack sufficient intuitive knowledge about systems. This allows errors to slip by undetected and leads to suboptimization. To offset this, the Masters in Product Development (MPD) program at the University of Detroit-Mercy engages its students in design challenges. These activities allow the participants to apply their coursework and demonstrate their mastery of the material; they also allow them to gain knowledge about fabrication techniques. This paper will discuss several of the design challenges used during the MPD January Experience (an intensive, two-week "boot camp" that combines coursework and a hands-on team design project). These events build esprit d'corps and jumpstart the program; each Experience culminates in a friendly competition at the end of the session. Design projects used during other MPD courses will also be discussed. For many of the student teams, the rather humbling experience of having to fabricate something which they designed widens their perspectives on engineering.

INCOSE International Symposium, 2024

2022 AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, Jan 4, 2022

2020 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Jun 22, 2020

2019 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering Technology Symposium, Aug 13, 2019

2019 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Jun 16, 2019

2019 ASEE North Central Section Conference, Mar 23, 2019

2018 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering Technology Symposium, Aug 9, 2018

2017 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Conference, Aug 10, 2017

2017 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Jun 27, 2017

For addition information, refer to the closely related topics of Information Management, Organizing Business and Enterprises to Perform Systems Engineering and Fundamentals of Services.

2010 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium, 2010

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

Integrate24, Sep 18, 2024

A 2017 video, The Zombie Apocalypse in Systems Engineering, explored the costs of bad modeling. T... more A 2017 video, The Zombie Apocalypse in Systems Engineering, explored the costs of bad modeling. The author will expand upon those concepts and discuss how digital engineering (DE) transformation efforts are at risk if organizations do not actively seek out and suppress zombies...those individuals and practices that shamble around in a semblance of life but actively harm their environment.
Common types of DE Zombies will be classified and ways to mitigate or eliminate them will be shared...so organizations can avoid an apocalyptic collapse of their DE transformation.

2024 INCOSE International Symposium, Jul 4, 2024

Among other benefits, the adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or Digital Engineeri... more Among other benefits, the adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or Digital Engineering (DE) is expected to decrease the number of escaped errors in a project by enabling early error detection within the modeling environment. This contributes to reducing the costs associated with corrective activities, which are generally greater in later phases of development.
This paper provides an empirical insight into error detection through a study of models developed by students in a graduate MBSE course, where they leveraged the use of automated rule checking within the modeling tool. The dataset covers 10 editions of the course, spanning 2016-2023, and contains 601 models. The study shows that the term project models resulted in nearly zero latent errors when non-stylistic rules are concerned, with most of the latent errors categorized as stylistic rather than fundamental violations.

The use of automated validation of system models enables modelers to focus on value-added tasks b... more The use of automated validation of system models enables modelers to focus on value-added tasks by reducing the administrative drag of assessing conformance to modeling style and checking for omissions and inconsistencies. Each rule is an atomic test that returns a Boolean for any tested element: TRUE for those that satisfy the rule, FALSE for those that violate it.
This presentation will discuss best practices and specific techniques and patterns that have emerged from the stewardship of the SAIC Digital Engineering Validation Tool, the largest, freely-available SysML validation ruleset currently available. It will also provide insights into how to craft a holistic set of rules that collectively enforce a given modeling methodology and style.

2023 NDIA Systems and Mission Engineering Conference, Oct 19, 2023

The cost of cybercrime is measured in trillions of dollars (Forbes, 2023) and the risk to nationa... more The cost of cybercrime is measured in trillions of dollars (Forbes, 2023) and the risk to national security due to cyber attack is equally grave. An essential step in reducing the risk posed by cyber threats is to craft appropriately modularized and inherently secure system architectures and ensuring that as-written code reflects design intent. This presentation will explore the use of architectural analysis to create inherent resistance to cybersecurity threats by identifying possible attack vectors and interdicting them. It will then demonstrate how automated architecture-to-code matching can verify that the integrity of the design was not compromised by downstream development processes. An example case study will be presented that illustrates a full lifecycle (from concept through implementation) supported by automated and human-in-the-loop analysis.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2023/03/05/cybersecurity-trends--statistics-for-2023-more-treachery-and-risk-ahead-as-attack-surface-and-hacker-capabilities-grow/?sh=2ddcc48919db

2023 INCOSE International Symposium, Jul 19, 2023

The transition of systems engineering from a document-centric to a model-based discipline has bee... more The transition of systems engineering from a document-centric to a model-based discipline has been compared with the migration from drafting boards to computer-aided design (CAD). A more apt comparison may be to the craft of blacksmithing. Blacksmiths in antiquity lacked fundamental understanding of the iron-carbon phase diagram, the impact of alloying elements, and access to modern equipment such as power hammers, gas-fired forges, and other laborsaving devices. These craftsmen still were valued members of their community who provided value and innovation (such as in the American West, where the town blacksmith repaired tools, shod horses, and created bespoke products for the populace).
Contestants on Forged in Fire, a television program featuring competitive bladesmithing, have access to all of the metallurgical theory and modern equipment available, as well as generations of best practices...yet many still make easily avoidable blunders. The application of individual skill and knowledge still determines the outcome of each contest...and the practice of system modeling circa 2022 is similar, in that outcomes are still heavily dependent upon the skill of the individuals involved.
This presentation will explore the evolution in the author’s pedagogy during more than a decade of teaching systems architecture, systems engineering, and systems modeling. It will examine the early use of diagram-centric modeling in support of individual document-based projects, subsequent attempts to model single systems collaboratively, and current practice, in which teams of students are responsible for constructing a complete, consistent, federated system-of-systems model. The value of structured, hands-on lessons (“bringing a hammer to the anvil”) supported by task-based videos will be explored. Models from each epoch will be assessed for size, scope, and quality (including the application of the latest validation rules to earlier models to identify and quantify latent errors). The impact of automated validation rules as an instructional and grading aid will be presented and guidelines for structuring language, tool, and process lessons will be included.

Integrate23, Jun 6, 2023

In 1913-1914, Theodore Roosevelt set off into the unknown and explored the River of Doubt in the ... more In 1913-1914, Theodore Roosevelt set off into the unknown and explored the River of Doubt in the Amazon Basin. Although he was successful in charting the river, the expedition was hindered by planning errors, terrain, and the specter of attacks by the indigenous population. Roosevelt’s health was permanently compromised by the strain of the adventure. Organizations embarking on digital transformations also step off into the unknown and can suffer avoidable missteps as they adapt their tools, processes, and culture. This presentation will highlight best practices, showcase available resources, and demonstrate the potential of successful digital engineering efforts.

2023 MBSE Cyber Experience Symposium, May 24, 2023

The success of digital engineering depends upon the creation of well-crafted descriptive architec... more The success of digital engineering depends upon the creation of well-crafted descriptive architectures as a foundational element of the digital thread. These curated collections of design intent can be used to conduct trade studies, develop requirements, and drive downstream design activities. Gaps, inconsistencies, or errors in architectures generate wasted efforts (at best), increase test and integration costs (most likely), or induce latent failures that appear during the operation of a system.
Since 2019, SAIC has provided its Digital Engineering Validation Tool as a service to the worldwide SysML community. Its automated validation rules ensure compliance with the SAIC style guide, detect errors in language usage, and identify gaps and inconsistencies in the descriptive architecture.
This presentation will explore the application of the current validation ruleset to models created by students at the University of Detroit Mercy from 2016-2023. The modeling approach taught to the students was consistent throughout this period; however, the models developed before 2018 were not validated. The latent errors in these models will be quantified and an initial set of analyses and conclusions will be presented to illustrate the value of automated validation rules in eliminating errors, ensuring style guide conformance, and enforcing behavioral/structural integrity.

2022 NDIA Systems and Mission Engineering Conference, 2022

Although Robert Frost was the first to use this phrase, it echoes long held homespun wisdom that... more Although Robert Frost was the first to use this phrase, it echoes long
held homespun wisdom that clear boundaries foster respectful and productive relations between adjacent individuals (provided they are not impermeable). As the ongoing digital transformation of engineering continues, stakeholders must balance the need to protect intellectual property and sensitive information with the benefits
inherent in sharing content with the digital thread.
This presentation will provide insights into how pragmatic model stewardship and organization can facilitate the development of consistent and complete federated models. The utility of a common library of shared content and surrogate elements will be demonstrated by an example collection of SysML descriptive architecture models. Two sets of automated validation rules will be discussed; one set ensures that shared surrogate elements are correct and complete, the second set tests the consistency between the interfaces represented in the federation model and the individual stakeholder models. These rules will also be applied to previously released federated models to determine if errors had leaked past manual reviews

2022 NDIA Systems and Mission Engineering Conference, Nov 2, 2022

The Telephone Game is an icebreaker activity in which an individual phrase or sentence is passed ... more The Telephone Game is an icebreaker activity in which an individual phrase or sentence is passed down a chain of participants, one whisper at a time. By the time the final player announces what he has heard, the content has typically morphed significantly from the initial statement. While this may be an amusing party game, degradation of design intent through misinterpretation and low fidelity transformations can negatively impact the success of product development efforts.
This presentation will demonstrate the use of Design Structure Matrices (DSM) to analyze and partition descriptive SysML models. This approach can be used to support Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) development efforts. In addition, the DSM can be used to establish dependency rules that can be applied to software, ensuring that the as coded result matches the as architected design intent. An example cyberphysical system (a notional drone and open source control software) will be used as the basis for this discussion. Lessons learned and best practices for stewarding the SysML and code synchronization will be presented.

Integrate22, Jun 7, 2022

This presentation will discuss the current state of the practice of Model-Based Systems Engineeri... more This presentation will discuss the current state of the practice of Model-Based Systems Engineering and Digital Engineering in 2022. It will present the advantages of applying automated validation to system models, the opportunities inherent in validation-assisted training, the use of semantic broker technology to exchange data throughout the digital thread, and lessons learned from federating and analyzing descriptive architectures. Case studies, lessons learned, and examples illustrating key points will be shared to emphasize the value that can be achieved through competent system modeling and stewardship of the digital thread.

2022 MBSE Cyber Experience Symposium, Mar 2, 2022

System modeling is a skills-based discipline that relies upon talented individuals to transform k... more System modeling is a skills-based discipline that relies upon talented individuals to transform knowledge and information about a system-of-interest into rigorous system models. A shortage of these individuals is slowing the adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Traditional classroom-based training has been unable to fill the pipeline with adequate numbers of capable practitioners.

This presentation will showcase a hands-on, project-based approach to creating skilled system modelers. It illustrates the utility of developing an end-to-end system model (from use cases and conceptual to physical architecture) in giving junior modelers hands-on experience and the confidence to lead MBSE efforts.

Two junior modelers were given the task of modeling the Ranger lunar probes from the 1960s. This system-of-interest was well-documented and free of security or intellectual property concerns. Research was necessary to locate key system attributes (serving as a surrogate for interaction with subject-matter experts) and the existing architectural information was translated into SysML. The project was supported by SAIC’s Digital Engineering Profile; its customizations were used to capture relevant information and its validation rules supported the construction of a clean, consistent model.

By the time they concluded the project, the modelers had gained a visceral understanding of good modeling practices and are well-positioned to lead system modeling efforts. They also learned valuable lessons about model organization and consistency that would have been impossible to internalize through lecture or examinations. The use of the SAIC DE Profile's validation rules provided them with timely, consistent feedback on their model and modeling techniques. The modelers also identified several bugs and oversights in the ruleset and contributed directly to improving its quality.

This presentation will include examples drawn from the Ranger model as well as a timeline showing model growth and maturation vs. hours expended by the modeling team. Key lessons learned will be presented in the context of developing an organization-specific internal modeler development program. This approach is easily scalable to fill an organization's pipeline with competent system modelers.

2022 AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, Jan 4, 2022

2021 NDIA Systems and Mission Engineering Conference, Dec 8, 2021

Juval Löwy’s Righting Software (RS) postulates that software projects fail because of poor practi... more Juval Löwy’s Righting Software (RS) postulates that software projects fail because of poor practices and an excessive focus on functional decomposition. He stresses the elicitation of higher-level behavioral needs and a systems organization approach that focuses on encapsulating variability to minimize the coupling between software elements.
Use of system modeling in SysML enables rigorous identification and characterization of the functions, flows (matter/energy/information), and parametrics that govern a system’s structure and behavior. This content, when represented in a well-formed system model (especially when supplemented with automated validation rules that detects errors, inconsistencies, and gaps), can be used to analyze the system-of-interest to expose efficient and effective partitioning.
This presentation will showcase the application of Design Structure Matrix (DSM) techniques to system models. Architectures constructed with RS’s principles will be compared and contrasted with examples generated by applying DSMs.

2021 NDIA Systems and Mission Engineering Conference, Dec 7, 2021

The continuing transformation of systems engineering from a document-intensive (DISE) to model-ba... more The continuing transformation of systems engineering from a document-intensive (DISE) to model-based (MBSE) discipline is enabling richer systems analysis. System models are inherently unambiguous and rigorous representations of design intent (especially when supplemented with automated validation rules that detects errors, inconsistencies, and gaps). They enable direct analysis by specialty engineering (such as reliability & maintainability, ESOH, and cybersecurity).
State-machine behavioral representations are particularly useful for ESOH and cybersecurity analysis. This presentation builds upon techniques described in prior NDIA papers on failure mode and effects analysis, cybersecurity, and pragmatic hazard identification and risk management to demonstrate the value that can be extracted from a system model in support of these stakeholders.

2021 INCOSE Western States Regional Conference, Sep 17, 2021

The digital transformation currently underway in nearly every commercial, defense, and government... more The digital transformation currently underway in nearly every commercial, defense, and government domain is unlocking much-needed capabilities but faces cultural and technical obstacles. Enabling the cultural shift needed to allow systems thinking and robust systems engineering to permeate organizations can be just as daunting as overcoming the barriers to the creation of the digital thread. Leading an organization to success requires a combination of personal factors, including wisdom, grit, and audacity.
This presentation will draw leadership lessons from four trailblazing voyages: Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, the naval architecture revolution wrought by Sir Jackie Fisher’s HMS Dreadnought, Hugo Eckener’s circumnavigation of the globe in the LZ127 Graf Zeppelin, and Operation Sunshine, USS Nautilus’s submerged transit of the North Pole. Key principles from each of these related to personnel, technology, operations, and leadership will be applied to our modern transformation challenges.

2021 INCOSE Western States Regional Conference, Sep 17, 2021

A SysML model of architecture is commonly considered the core of most digital engineering transfo... more A SysML model of architecture is commonly considered the core of most digital engineering transformations. However, the power of a well-defined architecture is often not fully exploited. Early analysis of architecture using design structure matrices (DSM) can help quantify inter-component coupling, identify undesirable cycles, and determine ideal component cohesion; in the past this analysis had to be constructed manually. As tool interoperability improves, the friction associated with data interchange is reduced.
Lattix, a leading DSM tool, recently improved its SysML importer and this enables competently-executed architecture models to be analyzed in a matter of moments. Algorithms in Lattix can suggest alternative architectures before any costly design or development is initiated. Furthermore, once code begins to be developed and upgraded over time, the as-written code can be compared against the intended architecture. This enables generation of work lists and impact analyses (to transitive closure) to identify discrepancies and provide suggested fixes.
In Agile and DevOps environments, architectural analysis can be automated so that every time an architect checks in a new version of the system model, the results of the analysis are immediately available so that remedial actions can be taken before technical debt accrues. Architecture degradation (both as-designed and as-coded) is prevented and the power of a good architecture maintained throughout the lifecycle.

2021 INCOSE Great Lakes Regional Conference, Apr 12, 2021

There is a pressing need to develop improved training methods for developing competent system mod... more There is a pressing need to develop improved training methods for developing competent system modelers. A shortage of talent is slowing the widespread adoption of model-based systems engineering (MBSE). This presentation will present lessons learned and outcomes associated with university and corporate training and development programs constructed around the use of experiential learning and automated validation rules. The master’s level SysML course at the University of Detroit Mercy was recently converted to an asynchronous, online format. It consists of seven weeks of basic modeling fundamentals; the second half of the term is spent collaboratively modeling a system-of-interest. The Fall 2019 topic of these models was the Mars Society’s University Rover Challenge. Prototype validation rules were matured and expanded based upon the modeling exercises in this course; by the end of the term, three of the five modeling teams submitted models with zero errors and zero maturation warnings (zero/zero models). The rules were internalized and further refined by SAIC and released publicly as the SAIC Digital Engineering Profile. To demonstrate their usefulness in training modelers in a corporate setting, two junior modelers with no system modeling experience were given the task of modeling the Ranger lunar probe from the 1960s. They researched aspects of the probe’s architecture and collaboratively developed a system model that spanned from the concept to physical architecture spaces. Information about model maturity (size vs. hours expended and errors/warnings will be provided). Their modeling also exposed bugs and corner cases in the validation rules and materially contributed to the maturation of both the customizations and rule set. Lessons learned from both the academic and corporate settings will be presented (including suggestions for using and expanding upon the provided SAIC Digital Engineering Profile). Examples will be drawn from the Mars Rover and Ranger models (publicly released by the University of Detroit Mercy and SAIC, respectively) and their utility as references in modeler training will be explored.

2021 INCOSE International Workshop MBSE Lightning Round, Jan 29, 2021

In December 2019, SAIC released version 1.0 of its Digital Engineering Validation Tool. This was... more In December 2019, SAIC released version 1.0 of its Digital Engineering Validation Tool. This was the largest public release of validation rules to date; since then, additional versions have added an example model, model-based style guide, conversion of many rules to Rhapsody, and the inclusion of a classification and data rights profile. Feedback from the worldwide modeling community indicates that it is in daily use in multiple large organizations and is positively impacting model quality. The pedagogical use of the profile and rules was featured in Treadstone: A Process for Improving Modeling Prowess Using Validation Rules (2020 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition).

This presentation will highlight the evolution of the profile and validation suite; it will also discuss the newly-added classification and data rights features and further explore the use of the content to train modelers. Lessons learned from a Fall 2020 large-scale collaborative modeling effort (a system-of-systems model federated from eight student team system models) at the University of Detroit Mercy will be featured.

2020 NDIA Systems and Mission Engineering Conference, Nov 13, 2020

2020 NDIA Systems and Mission Engineering Conference, Nov 10, 2020

Text-based requirements sets may not be complete, consistent, or correct. This presentation show... more Text-based requirements sets may not be complete, consistent, or correct. This presentation showcases how an initial set of text-based requirements may be analyzed and singularized using a SysML model. The 2019 University Rover Challenge requirements were used as the basis for student projects at the University of Detroit Mercy; a pre-release version of SAIC's Digital Engineering Validation Tool was used to support requirements analysis and associated architectural modeling. This presentation will show the results of this analysis by four student teams and the resulting growth and singularization of requirements. The impact of automatic validation and modeling best practices will also be illustrated.

The change from a document-based to a model-based paradigm is a huge hurdle for companies. It is ... more The change from a document-based to a model-based paradigm is a huge hurdle for companies. It is not only about learning new methods, languages, and tools and changing processes and policies. It is also about changing organizational structures and engineering culture. However, sometimes, MBSE is applied as another set of administrative tasks and not as a real engineering methodology. Some companies “want” MBSE but do not understand how to “do” MBSE.

This book addresses the core principles, ethos, and meticulous attention to detail that define craftsmanship. It is not just a technical manual but a philosophical guide that inspires a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship of engineers and fosters a culture of excellence and a community of practitioners who take pride in their craft.

Delve into a rich collection of patterns, practices, and principles (3Ps) for general modeling, SysML modeling, and more that form the bedrock of MBSE craftsmanship, providing a robust foundation for engineers to hone their skills and take pride in their craft.

Systems Engineering: Principles and Practice, 2020

This case study explores the radically different approaches taken by Airbus and Boeing as they de... more This case study explores the radically different approaches taken by Airbus and Boeing as they developed the latest generation of their passenger aircraft. The giant Airbus A380 and the efficient Boeing 787 reflect two fundamentally different approaches to air travel and highlight the different cultural climates, corporate structures, and assumptions made by both organizations as they bet billions of dollars and, in some ways, their futures.
The comparison and contrast of these SoS approaches, constraints (e.g., the A380 is profoundly impacted by airport infrastructure), triumphs, and pitfalls of the two aircraft will illustrate fundamental systems architectural and systems engineering principles.

Chapter 42: Testing and Quality Engineering

$Research paper thumbnail of Industrial Applications of X-ray Diffraction: “Selected Applications of X ray Diffraction in the Automotive Industry”$

Presentation to GfSE (INCOSE German Chapter) discussing the SAIC Digital Engineering Validation Tool

Presentation to GfSE (INCOSE German Chapter) based on a previous presentation at CIDESI.

INCOSE Michigan Chapter Dinner Meeting, May 14, 2019

This presentation will draw upon the presenter's experiences in transforming systems engineering ... more This presentation will draw upon the presenter's experiences in transforming systems engineering from a document-intensive to a model-based discipline. Highlights from past presentations, tutorials, and the Systems Architecture Guild YouTube channel will be presented to showcase state-of-the-art MBSE practices. A historical perspective will show how rapidly evolution is occurring and how practitioners must adapt to serve their programs.