Evaluation of Requirements Management Processes Utilizing System Modeling Language (SysML) Executable Models

Abstract

Like many project processes, requirements management can be time consuming and costly if not well planned. The fundamentals of the process steps can be obtained through literature search, however the variation of application can lead to program cost challenges if not tailored for the project's risk posture and budget scope. This paper investigates various published requirements management processes, presents a fundamental process model, demonstrates a method to capture the process steps using a Systems Modeling Language (SysML), and shows the results of a simulation of the process steps enabling a comparison of outcomes for a project. This method investigates an option of using duration constraints to calculate labor hours based on process steps, and uses inputs from the project's requirement data to provide a method of calculating systems engineering labor hours utilizing the Constructive Systems Engineering Cost Model (COSYSMO) in a SysML model. This work is intended to show how SysML can be used to support development and refinement of project processes in general, with specific focus on how this method can enable implementation of requirements management in a way that provides insight into potential cost and schedule impacts to the project.