NAFEMS - INCOSE Systems Modeling & Simulation Working Group

Bridging the worlds of Systems Engineering and Engineering Simulation

Working Group Purpose & Mission

Purpose:

The Systems Modeling & Simulation Working Group (SMSWG) is a collaboration between NAFEMS (The International Association for the Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation Community) and INCOSE (the International Council on Systems Engineering).

The collaboration is governed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organizations, initially established in 2012 and most recently renewed in 2022.

The collaboration promotes the publication of jointly developed products and provides opportunities for members to participate in each organization's activities.

Mutual support is given for specific key events of each organization e.g. NAFEMS sponsorship at the INCOSE International Symposium (IS21) or INCOSE sponsorship at the NAFEMS World Congress (NWC21). 

There is mutual recognition of the certifications offered by each organization. Members of either NAFEMS or INCOSE can benefit from a reduction in certification costs to one organization if certification is held already at the other. 

Mission:

The mission of the SMSWG is to develop a vendor-neutral, end-user driven consortium that not only promotes the advancement of the technology and practices associated with integration of engineering simulation and systems engineering, but also acts as the advisory body to drive strategic direction for technology development and international standards in the space of complex engineering.
What-is-SMS-Fig2_PD-with-SE-and-ES

TechOps Domain

Transformation Enablers


14

Core SMS WG Members

~500

SMS Community Members

2012

Established


Chair

Peter Coleman

Co - Chair

Frank Popielas


Inquiries


Scope

Combining the modeling and simulation perspectives of both Systems Engineering and Engineering Simulation can improve communications and coordination across the product development life cycle.

Systems Engineering has recognized the importance of models in a wide range of roles. Early in the development of a system, models may be used to understand the user domain, to define functions and concepts, and to capture system requirements across the levels of a system architecture. Such models may specify functional, interface, performance, and physical requirements, as well as other non-functional requirements such as reliability, maintainability, safety, and security.

Engineering Simulation has been an essential part of product development engineering across many industries and disciplines for decades. This work is typically performed by technical specialists with deep knowledge in their respective domains, and with expertise in specialized mathematical and analytical tools.

The SMSWG defines Systems Modeling and Simulation (SMS) as the use of interdisciplinary functional, architectural, and behavioral models (with physical, mathematical, and logical representations) in performing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to specify, conceptualize, design, analyze, verify and validate an organized set of components, subsystems, systems, and processes.

The SMSWG communicates to the wider engineering community via the SMS Community. This consists of individuals who are either NAFEMS or INCOSE members, with an interest in the topic of Systems Modeling and Simulation but who are not necessarily experts in this area.


Goals

SMSWG supports activities that bridge Engineering Simulation and Systems Engineering to optimize the integration of solutions for both OEM and supplier. This includes education, communication, promotion of international standards, and development of requirements that will have general benefits to the Engineering Simulation and Systems Engineering communities.

SMSWG organizes meetings with the SMS Community to keep them informed of developments in the field of SMS and to keep members of the SMS Community abreast of SMSWG activities.

SMSWG ensures Products are strengthened by carrying both the NAFEMS and INCOSE branding.

SMSWG provides support for flagship NAFEMS & INCOSE events including the NAFEMS World Congress and the INCOSE Symposium. Such support will include invitations to each organization’s meetings on subjects of mutual interest.

SMSWG provides content hosted on NAFEMS and/or INCOSE websites. Such content includes presentations shared at meetings and an up-to-date overview of the SMSWG activities.

SMSWG provides assistance, support and promotion for international standards relevant to SMS.

SMSWG provides joint development and publication of a glossary of terms in use across the field of SMS.

SMSWG provides Guidance in the form of publications and presentations about relevant processes and methods.

SMSWG supports Developing a competency framework for practitioners of SMS.

Outcomes

    Materials and recordings from more than 50 SMS Community Meetings since 2013, hosted on NAFEMS website SMS Community Members Area (here). Note, login to individual member account is required to view this information.

    Comprehensive set of SMS related Terms & Definitions, hosted on NAFEMS website (here).

    "What is Systems Modeling and Simulation" publication (2019), available via NAFEMS resource center (here) or INCOSE store (here).

    "What is the Functional Mock-up Interface" publication (2018), available via NAFEMS resource center (here).

    Minutes and recordings from SMSWG management meetings (former Steering Committee) since 2013, hosted by NAFEMS on a dedicated shared drive.

    Maintained SMSWG overview presentation, available via NAFEMS SMSWG webpages (here).

    Maintained SMSWG Charter / Terms of Reference and NAFEMS-INCOSE collaboration MoU, available via NAFEMS SMSWG webpages (here). Note, login to individual member account is required to view this information.

     

     

IW23: International Workshop Focus

  • SMSWG planning meeting to review current scope of group activities and discuss plans for 2023
  • SMS Community meeting #60
  • Participation to other WG meetings including MBSE initiative and Discover MoSSEC workshops

 

Ongoing Activities

  • Continuous update of SMSWG content hosted on INCOSE and/or NAFEMS websites.
  • SMSWG management meetings (usually 4th Monday each month).
  • SMS community meetings (usually 2nd Tuesday each month).
  • SMS Roadmap focus team meetings (usually 3rd Tuesday each month).
  • SMS T&D's focus team meetings (usually 3rd Tuesday each month).
  • Complete MA&S chapter contribution for INCOSE SE Handbook 5th edition.
  • Restart Standards focus team activities.
  • Restart SMS Metadata & model characterization focus team activities (including collaboration with related WGs).
  • Liaison with affiliated AFIS-NAFEMS SMSWG in France.
  • Contribute to INCOSE, NAFEMS & ASME collaboration with Prostep SmartSE project and "Simulation Quality/Credibility" white paper.

Planned Work Products

  • Additions to SMS Terms & Definitions.
  • Develop "What is MBx" publication.
  • Develop "MBSE guide for managers" publication.
  • Review / update existing "What is SMS" and "What is FMI" publications.
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