Initial Systems Theoretic Metamodel of Verification Artifacts

Abstract

The last decade has seen an increase in calls for theoretical foundations of systems engineering (SE) along with a transformation to a model-based and digital paradigm. This transformation is expected to facilitate improved verification. In fact, the literature suggests that the increased complexity of modern engineered systems is challenging the feasibility of traditional verification methods and requires new methods to cope with the change. Furthermore, a review of the SE literature suggests limited focus on verification research. Our research leverages systems theory to characterize the relationships between the verification artifacts. Specifically, we use systems theoretic morphisms to characterize the equivalence preservation between system requirements and verification requirements as well as between a system design and verification models. Although in initial form as provided in this article, our metamodel of verification artifacts is expected to contribute to the theoretical foundations of SE.

Formalizing the Representativeness of Verification Models using Morphisms

“…We used morphisms in a different article to create a metamodel of verification artifacts (Wach, Beling, and Salado 2022). Specifically, morphisms were leveraged to characterize the preservation of equivalence between system requirements and verification requirements as well as between a system design and a verification model.…”

“…Based on personal experience, we believe that the detailed mathematical descriptions inherent in the theory of morphisms may distract from the necessary conversation we facilitate through our abstract representations provided in this article. As such, both in this article and in Wach, Beling, and Salado (2022), we have intentionally not provided the mathematical descriptions of the morphisms. Future research articles are expected to provide depth on the mathematical descriptions necessary to provide a rigorous basis for morphisms.…”

Study of Equivalence in Systems Engineering Within the Frame of Verification

“…The only discovered research body that defines requirements as problem spaces of functions is Wymorian systems theory, specifically the True Model-Based Requirements (TMBR) methodology [40,[52][53][54][55][56][57]. The TMBR method suggests that all requirements may be defined as desired transformations of inputs into outputs through desired interfaces.…”

“…Note, the use of the term requirement is distinct from (stakeholder) needs, which is a problem space of outcomes [38] and is relevant to validation rather than verification. However, the use of the term requirement with TMBR is not limited to system requirements and has been suggested to be extended to include aspects of verification requirements [53].…”

“…Although other theoretical bodies of research exist with potential, Wymorian systems theory has the pieces necessary to address the research question. Specifically, Wymorian systems theory includes theoretical foundations for problem spaces of functions (PSF) (e.g., [40,53]), which are used to characterize system requirements (SR) and aspects of verification requirements referred to as verification requirement problem spaces (VRPS); morphisms (e.g., [53,72]), which are used to characterized equivalence between SR and VRPS as well as between system designs (SD) and verification models (VM); and hierarchy of system specification (e.g., [44]), which is used as a basis to characterize hierarchy of detail from SR and VRPS to varying detail of SD and VM structure.…”