Simulation-Based Systems Engineering

Abstract

Systems engineering (SE) is understood as an interdisciplinary collaborative approach to derive, evolve, and verify a life cycle balanced system solution. Satisfying customer expectations has become more complicated and complex, as we are no longer designing systems optimized for a single point, but instead are focusing on systems which are sustainable, resilient, flexible, and even antifragile. Simulation is established to support analysis and testing of systems. Recent developments--the use of executable architecture concepts allowing for dynamic evaluation of system concepts, and the use of agent-based implementation to support learning and adaptive system behavior--allow better support of an agile enterprise. To support these ideas, simulation must be fully integrated into SE paradigm. We must establish simulation as an integrated discipline within the SE methodology. Research is needed to support validation and verification of self-modifying systems, as well as improved heuristics for computationally complex problems. This chapter proposes detailed visions and identifies a research agenda needed to realize these visions accordingly.