The Case for Employing MBSE in Early-Stage R&D Projects using Agile Development Approaches

Stephen Cook presented at the Systems Engineering Test & Evaluation (SETE) 2024 in Melbourne on Monday 23 September 2024. His paper was titled ‘The Case for Employing MBSE in Early-Stage R&D Projects using Agile Development Approaches’.

The paper presents an argument for the use of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in early-stage Research and Development (ESR&D) projects that employ agile development methodologies.

With the case for using MBSE in large, complex projects now well established, there is much less material to justify the use of MBSE in the early stage of projects, particularly those being conducted by engineering research laboratories. These laboratories contribute to scientific progress and drive innovation. Their focus is on advancing knowledge and problem solving rather than product development per se.

The paper advocates for the use of Systems Engineering and product development approaches in organisations not familiar with these practices and their underpinning concepts. It addresses the topic by reviewing information from the latest standards, handbooks, and research papers and combining this with personal experience to assemble a compelling case targeted at audiences unfamiliar with contemporary industrial Systems Engineering practices, such as those in small start-up companies, research laboratories, and universities.

Download the paper: Cook – The Case for Employing MBSE in ESR&D – Final

Download the presentation: Cook – A Case for MBSE in Agile ESR&D Projects – 2024 – presentation

SETE 2024 is the premier conference for the systems engineering profession in Australia, run by the Systems Engineering Society of Australia (SESA), the Southern Cross Chapter of the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) and, collaborative partner, Simulation Australasia (SimAust).

The Shoal Group team presented six papers at SETE 2024. The papers addressed topics aligning with Model-based Systems Engineering and its relationship to research and development, engineering workforce management, mission engineering, business strategy and digital engineering. They covered a mix of systems engineering applications across domains, with above and below the line papers relating to Defence, and Energy sectors.