Frenemies: OPM and SysML Together in an MBSE Model

Abstract

A Frenemy is “a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry.” (OED, 2018). The Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and the Object Process Methodology (OPM) are two such frenemies. OPM and SysML are different means of achieving Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), each with their own benefits, issues, supporters and detractors. The National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) defines MBSE as “an approach to engineering that uses models as an integral part of the technical baseline that includes the requirements, analysis, design, implementation, and verification of a capability, system, and/or product throughout the acquisition life cycle.” (NDIA, 2011) SysML is based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and includes diagrams that can be used to specify system requirements, behavior, structure and parametric relationships. SysML provides a means of defining high‐level abstract systems down to detailed physical systems. OPM is a “conceptual modeling language and methodology for capturing knowledge and designing systems. Based on a minimal universal ontology of stateful objects and processes that transform them, OPM can be used to formally specify the function, structure, and behavior of artificial and natural systems in a large variety of domains.” (ISO, 2015) OPM is used in some systems engineering graduate courses. Students graduating from these institutions are struggling to integrate the differing styles, philosophies, concepts and processes of SysML and OPM. A literature search reveals some papers that contrast SysML and OPM, but none that describe how the two can work together. This paper discusses a synergy of SysML and OPM in a SysML tool rather than promoting one language over another.

Towards Context-Awareness in Model-Based Requirements Engineering

“…Object-Process Methodology (OPM) is another MBSE approach and modeling language that has preceded SysML [13] and has been both compared and integrated with SysML for various conceptual modeling problems [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Modeling and simulation of evolving complex systems was discussed and introduced with Object-Process Methodology (OPM) in [21].…”

Multidisciplinary Modeling and Optimization Method of Remote Sensing Satellite Parameters Based on SysML-CEA

“…Designers from various disciplines communicate and negotiate with each other in this process. Researches and developments of satellite model usually depend on the experience of designers while selecting the design alternatives based on design history inheritance [4][5][6][7][8].…”

Teaching Model Based System Engineering – A Banking Benchmark Problem

“…The SysML model includes a set of behavioral, structural and requirement diagrams that are inter-related and linked. The OPM model has parallels to the SysML modelling style (M. C. Hause and Day 2019). Therefore, both provide a similar function, however in OPM, the focus is on a simpler approach to understand the main functions of the system, and in SysML internal diagrams and requirements can be included for overall modelling.…”