Systems Engineering and Architecture
Systems Engineering and Architecture
SE&A News and Events
Released: DoD Instruction 4245.14, DoD Value Engineering (VE) Program
Value engineering (VE) is a methodology used to reduce acquisition and ownership costs or delivery timelines, while maintaining or improving required functionality. VE is integral to supporting DoD’s national security mission.
R&E has released an updated DoD Instruction (DODI) 4245.14, DoD Value Engineering (VE) Program, to reinvigorate VE practice in the DoD.
DoD Components use VE to analyze programs, systems, services, products, and more to ensure they accomplish essential functions at the lowest life-cycle cost consistent with the required performance, quality and safety. Components retain their VE savings for allocation to other internal priorities to achieve a better value for the money.
SE&A Contributes to Success of 2024 MOSA Industry and Government Summit and Expo
SE&A played a significant role in the Second Annual Modular Open Systems Approach Industry and Government Summit & Expo, National Harbor, MD, June 17-18. Hosted by the Vertical Lift Consortium along with government and industry sponsors, the event drew more than 1,500 participants from government, industry, and academia.
DUSD(R&E) David Honey participated in a keynote panel highlighting SE&A’s MOSA-related initiatives and collaborations throughout DoD.
SE&A Systems Engineering Director Nadine Geier led two panels on planning for MOSA success and on a detailed process for successfully implementing MOSA, including collaboration, information requirements, and metrics.
SE&A Digital Engineering, Modeling & Simulation Director Daniel Hettema participated in a panel on digital twin readiness across DoD. The panel considered the state of digital twins in the defense sector and how the defense community can steer these capabilities toward the future.
The summit facilitated robust discussions and knowledge sharing on MOSA implementation, intellectual property, data rights, and the challenges in warfighter theaters. Systems Engineering will survey Modular Open Systems Working Group members to gather feedback to support future summits.
DEM&S Exchanges M&S Insights at 14th Annual 2024 Capitol Hill M&S Expo
The Digital Engineering, Modeling & Simulation team exchanged insights on M&S efforts spanning the federal government, academia and industry at the 14th Annual 2024 Capitol Hill Modeling & Simulation Expo in Washington, D.C., July 2024. The event’s theme, “Resilience in Action: Using M&S Technologies to Build our Nation’s Strength,” was underscored in House member Jack Bergman’s opening remarks. Throughout the expo, DEM&S participated in demonstrations, information sessions, and networking opportunities with top M&S practitioners from across the country, including the National Center for Simulation, Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate, and the University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation and Training. DEM&S engagement with practitioners facilitated the identification of innovative M&S and future collaboration opportunities with M&S practitioners.
Released: Producibility and Manufacturability Engineering Guide
Manufacturing is a major factor in fielding cutting-edge capabilities to the warfighter. Producibility focuses on design considerations, while manufacturability focuses on improving manufacturing processes and factory floor operations. This guide is an educational tool for product teams to develop and produce parts, components and systems that can be manufactured easily with significant benefit to the end user. The guide provides useful definitions, references, tools, and best practices.
See https://www.cto.mil/sea/pg | Manufacturing and Quality
Released: SysML Conversion Approach and Transition Outline
The approach and outline were developed as part of a project sponsored by the SE&A Digital Engineering, Modeling and Simulation (DEM&S).
Systems Modeling Language (SysML) Version 2 (v2) is the next generation of SysML, a standard modeling language used in systems engineering throughout industry and government. SysML v2 supports the evolving practice of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) to address challenges in increasing system complexity and rapid technology change. SysML v2 is intended to increase the effectiveness and adoption of MBSE by improving the language precision, expressiveness, regularity, and interoperability.
The paper "SysML v1 to SysML v2 Model Conversion Approach" presents a suggested approach for DoD programs to make the transition from SysML v1 to SysML v2. To illustrate the transition, the project team used a hypothetical system model, Skyzer Mission Model, developed by the https://sercuarc.org/ Systems Engineering Research Center, a DoD university-affiliated research center.
The SysML v1 to SysML v2 Transition Planning Outline and Recommendations suggests a five-step outline organizations can use and adapt as they plan the SysML transition.
Released: DoD Instruction 5000.97, "Digital Engineering"
SE&A Policy and Workforce completed and USD(R&E) approved DoD Instruction 5000.97, "Digital Engineering," available from the Washington Headquarters Services website. Digital engineering supports the systems engineering process by moving the primary means of communicating systems information from documents to digital models and their underlying data. Digital engineering is a critical practice in an environment of dynamic threats, system complexity, and rapidly evolving technologies. The DoD instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for implementing digital engineering in the development and sustainment of defense systems. Specifically, the issuance directs program managers to implement digital engineering practices to maximize the benefit and to support a comprehensive systems engineering program.
Released: API Technical Guidance
SE&A released the initial Application Programming Interface Technical Guidance, providing an overview of API concepts in software development. An API defines how different software providers will share data with consumers, allowing developers to create applications that leverage the functionality of API services.
In the context of APIs, the word "application" refers to any software with a distinct function. Interface can be thought of as a contract of service between two applications. This contract defines how the two communicate with each other using requests and responses. An example is getting the weather forecast on a phone. The phone uses an API to access an external weather service to obtain a forecast. Their API documentation contains information on how developers are to structure the requests and handle responses.
The SE&A Software Engineering team collaborated with OUSD for Acquisition and Sustainment, a team from Joint All Domain Command and Control, and more than 20 DoD Components to develop the guidance.
This initial release covers governance, cybersecurity and zero trust, and API design and implementation principles. Future versions will include additional topics such as testing, DevSecOps, secure programming and error handling, performance optimization, and scalability. The guidance includes use cases, lessons learned, and best practices from DoD and industry.
The API Technical Guidance is available on the SE&A Policy and Guidance page under the heading "Software Engineering." https://www.cto.mil/sea/pg
SE&A Upcoming Events
27th National Defense Industrial Association Systems and Mission Engineering Conference
Norfolk, VA (October 28-31, 2024)
Keynote by Mr. Tom Simms
Defense Manufacturing Conference
Austin, TX (December 2-5, 2024)
Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)
Orlando, FL (December 2-6, 2024)
DoD Weapon Systems Software Summit
Salt Lake City, UT (December 10-13, 2024)
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