Model-Based System Integration (MBSI) - Key Attributes of MBSE from the System Integrator's Perspective

Many system developments fail at the integration and qualification (I&Q) phases in the development and acquisition cycle. How can we, as Systems Engineers (SE), navigate the uncertainty and risk of system development to ensure I&Q success? One solution is applying significant influence of the system integrator (SI) member of the SE team at the very beginning of system design. If this is a solution, then what processes, methods, and practices can the SI apply in the overall SE process? Can the emerging Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and tools be leveraged by the SI? This paper discusses a Model Based System Integration (MBSI) approach that applies essential MBSE methods and tools to the unique goals of the SI. While MBSE is supportive of the entire SE process, it tends to be optimized for the design-side of the SE process and not necessarily for I&Q goals and objectives. MBSI highlights how MBSE tools and methods can be extended to benefit the SI. Lessonslearned from several SE graduate school projects applying these MBSI methods are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the MBSI approach. © 2013 The Author. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Georgia Institute of Technology.