Why should I adopt MBSE?

There is a steady trend in the systems engineering community to move from conventional or document-based systems engineering (DBSE) to model-based systems engineering. For both systems engineers and engineering managers, it will require you to understand MBSE philosophy, benefits, how you work within an organisation and team members using MBSE, and (for systems engineers) the use of practical languages (such as SysML) and MBSE-enabling tools. The reasons to adopt MBSE will be different depending whether you are an individual systems engineer, or whether you are an engineering manager.

For a systems engineer, adopt MBSE because (for rationale on wiki see Systems Engineer MBSE why rationale):

• MBSE will enable you to perform many if not all systems engineering activities more effectively than you would otherwise do;
• MBSE shifts work from involving much drudgery (manual checking, consistency checking...) associated with the document-centric approach to engineering as an intellectual challenge;
• systems engineers with MBSE experience are likely to be increasingly marketable than those without.

For an engineering manager, adopt MBSE because (for rationale on wiki see Engineering Manager MBSE why rationale):

• Use of models increases early rigour, identifies gaps and inconsistencies, and helps to eliminate errors.
• Helps to facilitate checking across domains and disciplines, and increases the degree to which requirements, design and V&V information can be checked by software, complementing the capabilities and skills of engineers.
• Increases the potential for design re-use.
• Although there is mixed evidence of sound Return on Investment (ROI) in MBSE approaches over 'short' time frames, there is compelling evidence that MBSE approaches do systematically offer improved rigour and thoroughness to SE compared with the outcome of the same activities performed with DBSE; some authors would argue that asking 'what is the ROI for MBSE adoption?' is asking the wrong question; a better question would be 'what improvements in quality and error reduction do I realise with adoption of MBSE compared to DBSE?.