Connecting Parts of the Model

The Systems Modeling Language encourages engineers to create a series of models, which will seem to the novice or newcomer to model-based systems engineering to be fragmenting the view of the system. In reality the SysML describes a network of models, each addressing particular concerns but connected together to describe the system and its parts as a whole.

In this illustration we see a compelling Enterprise Architect diagram that depicts the connections between parts of the model using specialized elements and connectors, namely a Requirement, an Activity and a Block using the Allocate relationship. The elements can be reused in any number of diagrams, and changing their properties in one location will update them in every context.  Diagrams can be created quickly and easily using a number of features, and they can be visualized in a wide range of ways such as lists, tables and spreadsheets. The diagrams can be filtered, and elements can be replaced with graphic icons to create more interest for non-technical audiences. For more information see the Model Diagrams Help topic.

This is the real power of the Model Based Systems Engineering approach, as it allows a system to be viewed in a multitude of ways, from a complete and high level view down through multiple layers of decomposition or hierarchy.  Each level is connected, gaps or breaks in the models can be easily identified, and remedies can be found.