Publications

21st Annual International Symposium of the International Council on Systems Engineering, INCOSE 2011

Artery, Georgia; De Spain, Mark J.

Sandia National Laboratories is developing and applying an Integrated Phase Gate (IPG) project structure to execute critical programs such as nuclear weapon Life Extension Projects (LEP) that require the utmost attentionto reliability, function and other stakeholder requirements including safety and security. This emphasis on project rigor reflects a new directive from the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) to develop robust processes in order to ensure that the nation's nuclear deterrence will be effective and available for decades to come. To this end, Sandia's Advanced and Exploratory Systems Department is developing a SysML model of an integrated Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environment with the intent of providing project teams with direct access to program templates, requirements, tools (both program and technical) and related databases. This paper will describe the current state and future direction of the integrated PLM environment SysML model. © 2010 by Georgia Artery and Mark De Spain.

de Jong, Kent d.; De Spain, Mark J.; Hernandez, Marjorie E.; Post, Debra S.; Taylor, Jeffrey L.

Process for Selecting Engineering Tools outlines the process and tools used to select a SysML (Systems Modeling Language) tool. The process is general in nature and users could use the process to select most engineering tools and software applications.

De Spain, Mark J.

Abstract not provided.

De Spain, Mark J.

Abstract not provided.

Sandia journal manuscript; Not yet accepted for publication

De Spain, Mark J.

The basis of this work is a paraphrase of a well-known aphorism regarding system models that is extended to the object being modeled, begging your indulgence: “Essentially, all systems are broken, but some do useful work.” (Box, 1987).

International Journal of Decision Support System Technology (IJDSST)

Linebarger, John M.; De Spain, Mark J.; McDonald, Michael J.; Spencer, Floyd W.; Cloutier, Robert J.

The Design for Tractable Analysis (DTA) framework was developed to address the analysis of complex systems and so-called “wicked problems.” DTA is distinctive because it treats analytic processes as key artifacts that can be created and improved through formal design processes. Systems (or enterprises) are analyzed as a whole, in conjunction with decomposing them into constituent elements for domain-specific analyses that are informed by the whole. After using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) to frame the problem in the context of stakeholder needs, DTA harnesses the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) to structure the analysis of the system and address questions about the emergent properties of the system. The novel use of DSM to “design the analysis” makes DTA particularly suitable for addressing the interdependent nature of complex systems. The use of DTA is demonstrated by a case study of sensor grid placement decisions to secure assets at a fixed site. © 2009, IGI Global. All rights reserved.

18th Annual International Symposium of the International Council on Systems Engineering, INCOSE 2008

Artery, Georgia; De Spain, Mark J.; Griego, Regina

Functional modeling and SysML/UML are defined communication languages that engineers and related disciplines use to communicate the nature of engineering products. We often see functional modeling and SysML/UML used to describe large, physical entities, such as airplanes or space craft. Systems engineers use functional modeling to decompose these large systems into subsystems. Each subsystem has defined requirements, defined roles and responsibilities (functions), and definable interfaces. Each subsystem consists of electrical hardware, mechanical hardware, and computer software. Functional modeling and SysML/UML can also be used for modeling program/project management processes, systems engineering processes, and manufacturing processes. Many organizations use an array of flow charts, organization charts, network diagrams, and spreadsheets to define engineering processes. This paper presents how Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) used functional modeling and SysML/UML to define the design and development processes and procedures for a product realization process (PRP) called the Integrated Phase Gate (IPG) Process. The use of functional modeling helped the organization more readily accept the use of systematic modeling for developing PRP. Additionally, this paper will explore the value of using SysML/UML over functional modeling in order to completely specify process and process artifacts. © 2008 by Georgia Artery, Mark De Spain and Regina Griego.

De Spain, Mark J.; Linebarger, John M.; Spencer, Floyd W.

Abstract not provided.

Brodbeck, Georgia L.; De Spain, Mark J.; Griego, Regina M.

Abstract not provided.

De Spain, Mark J.; Darby, John

Abstract not provided.

Brodbeck, Georgia L.; De Spain, Mark J.

Abstract not provided.

Darby, John; De Spain, Mark J.

Abstract not provided.