Aurelijus Morkevicius

MD wizard - a model-driven framework for wizard-based modeling guidance in UML tools

The paper presents MD Wizard—a new model-driven framework, which supports wizard-based modeling guidance in UML tools. The framework uses Software Process Engineering Metamodel (SPEM) profile and extends it with stereotypes enabling wizard execution in the modeling environment. It allows the end-users of a modeling tool to define the activity diagram with the sequence of modeling tasks, and execute it as a wizard. It applies a model-driven development approach for enabling the modelers to extend the standard UML modeling environment. MD Wizard prototype has been implemented as a MagicDraw plug-in. Two applications of the proposed framework—the processes for use case modeling and robustness analysis—are presented.

MBSE driven approach for defining problem domain

This paper continues introduction of the MBSE Grid framework. As the name reveals, the framework is intended for model-based systems engineering (MBSE). MBSE is an emerging approach that applies modeling to support complex system requirements, design, analysis, and verification and validation activities. Being a synthesis of widely known MBSE methodologies (IBM Harmony, OOSEM, etc.) and frameworks (DoDAF, NAF, etc.), the MBSE Grid proposes an unambiguous workflow for modeling systems by iterations going from the highest to the lowest layers of abstraction. This paper mainly focuses on the Concept and Problem definition layers, describing in detail each step of the workflow in the range of these two layers and revealing presentation artifacts each step produces, also, giving clues for elements traceability. The case study demonstrates and proves adaptability of the MBSE Grid on a real-world problem domain using MagicDraw CASE tool.

We Choose MBSE: What’s Next?

When the decision is made to choose MBSE or the task is given to investigate whether MBSE is worth the investment, a long journey begins. The journey that requires knowledge, patience, and guidance to make the paradigm shift (from document-centric to model-based SE) rewarding. The final destination of this journey is prove that MBSE is rewarding in the context of a particular organizational. There are many barriers on the way, such as rumours about unsuccessful applications, too little information available how to proceed, disbelief, and a cultural change. Nowadays, MBSE is enabled by Systems Modelling Language (SysML). However, SysML is neither an architecture framework nor a method. This opens discussions of how to start, how to structure the model, what views to build, which artefacts to deliver and in what sequence. This paper summarizes the experience of different MBSE adoption projects in a form of a new framework for MBSE. The framework is organized in a matrix view and intends to help MBSE pioneers to answer the question “what’s next?”

An Approach: A Service-Oriented Functional Business and IT Alignment

There are multiple frameworks proposed conceptually defining the business and IT alignment. There are also multiple empirical methods for modeling the business and IT alignment. However, the transition between conceptual definitions and modeling languages still lacks a clear approach and tools for verifying if business and IT are aligned in a particular enterprise model. The paper presents an approach for functional business and IT alignment focusing on its implementation with nowadays enterprise modeling techniques and tools. The suggested approach is based on the SOA, GRAAL, and enterprise modeling techniques such as TOGAF, DoDAF, and UPDM. A real world example is presented to validate the suitability of the approach.

Using a systems of systems modeling approach for developing Industrial Internet of Things applications

Nowadays the modeling development process suffers from being an effort to meet project deadlines. Typically, the architecture effort is separated from the Systems Engineering (SE) leading to a lack of traceability from the system requirements and design to the architecture. An Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system connects and integrates systems and software engineering with enterprise systems, business processes, and analytics, which supports decision makers. Though it sounds promising, there are very limited formal techniques to define IIoT architectures. In this paper, an emerging international standard called the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF), its potential application to capture IIoT architectures, its ability to help the systems integrator to develop interoperable systems, with traceability to requirements and across different viewpoints, is analyzed. A mapping of the Industrial Internet Reference Architecture (IIRA) to UAF is described and a real-world case study is provided to show the application of the UAF to modeling IIoT architectures.