Monday 21 May 2018

Video (8 mins) on Making MBSE with Rhapsody simple (SysMLHelper 3rd generation enhancements)

I've put a new video of my Gen #3 profile onto youtube, in case you're interested. This shows some of the new ideas I've incorporating into the 3rd generation of the profile. It just shows a simple requirements analysis method helper.
















In this video I explore some new ideas I'm working on for my 3rd generation of the SysMLHelper profile; an open-source profile for IBM Rational Rhapsody that is designed to "Make MBSE with Rhapsody simple" by adding automation that enables engineers to focus on the fun and creative tasks, rather than how to set-up and configure the tool. This makes it easier to deploy MBSE and SysML modelling techniques to a larger team. Automation and product tailoring increases the chance that you will achieve productive success first time because the helper is based on methods known to work. The wealth of usability enhancements mean that you have a richer but tailored toolset available. As the helper is open-source there is also the option that I could tailor it for your organisation and processes, making use of over 11 years of experience as a Rhapsody technical consultant and trainer.

Some of these come from work I did recently on a customized profile for a different client. Some are things I've wanted to do for a while but not had time.

Thursday 17 May 2018

Rhapsody Tip #33 - Conveying Standard Content using stereotypes

This silent helper video illustrates a built-in feature of IBM Rational Rhapsody called Standard Content. This feature allows you to define standard content that you want to apply whenever you apply the stereotype to a model element. First off, you need to define the standard content, i.e. the template. You then need to establish a dependency to it from the stereotype you want to apply, and stereotype the dependency using «StandardContent» from the pre-defined types. Now, whenever you apply the stereotype to a model element, the standard content will be merged with the elements content (preserving existing content if there's a conflict).















StandardContent works with all types of elements. It also works with New Term stereotypes. It provides a quick way of templating things, when no model transformation is required. If you want to perform a model transformation on creation then writing a Java plugin may be needed, something I can provide consulting or training on, if required ;-).

Wednesday 16 May 2018

Tailoring the Harmony/SE MBSE method for automotive paper

For those that have asked, these are the links to the Tailoring the Harmony/SE MBSE method for automotive TailoringTheHarmonySE-MBSEMethod-ForAutomotive-V4.pdf paper that I delivered at the INCOSE UK ASEC 2017 conference in November. Here's the abstract:

Abstract. The Harmony/Systems Engineering (SE) process is a Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) process originated by Hans-Peter Hoffmann Ph.D. (i-Logix, Telelogic, IBM) based on work by Harel (Harel, Politi 1998). First published as “Harmony/SE” in 2006, it exploited the executable modelling features of the i-Logix Rhapsody® UML tool, based on Harel statechart semantics (Harel, Kulger 1996) to build executable specifications of systems based on modelling use cases. Emphasizing the identification and allocation of desired functionality and state-based behavior rather than details of functional behavior, the method achieved strong usage in the traditional systems engineering markets such as aerospace and defense. With the explosion in the complexity of state orientated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and other similar systems, this paper will overview the method but look at real experiences of tailoring the ideas of Harmony/SE with SysML in the automotive domain and how it is both similar and different to the traditional Systems Engineering market. The paper reflects the author’s own views rather than the views of automotive companies he has worked for (Jaguar Land Rover, Daimler AG). Aspects covered will include reflections on extending the method to support use of the state machine inheritance, use of simulations and/or lightweight modelling to engage stakeholders, and – importantly – the human aspects including adjusting UML/SysML usage to ease absorption by an automotive control engineer community.


For those that don't know, the Annual Systems Engineering Conference (ASEC) is INCOSE UK's flagship annual event and brings together a wide range of professionals from a variety of backgrounds, with the common interest of building upon their Systems Engineering (SE) knowledge and sharing ideas with their peers. The focus of the conference was "Pushing the boundaries of systems engineering".

The paper gives a lot more description than the slides. Here are the TailoringHarmonySEForAutomotive-WidescreenNoVideo-V3.pdf slides.

Friday 11 May 2018

Executable MBSE - "Death Star (in 10 minutes)" use case

This is a video that gives a flavor of Executable MBSE using Rational Rhapsody Designer with the Cygwin/gcc compiler. This video is based on the second generation of my SysMLHelper profile. I'm currently working on the 3rd Generation.

















I might do the Mango Crusher next! Any other novel ideas accepted?

Feedback from Rhapsody in C++ for Software Engineers 8.3

As usual, I try to post my training feedback. This is the aggregated feedback from my 4-day Rhapsody training last week (the participants who responded that is), where 5 = strongly agree and 1 = strongly disagree.











Testimonial include "Excellent course!! (S/W Lead)", "Learned a lot even from watching Fraser navigate around Rhapsody - lots of tips and tricks picked up!", "Fraser very friendly and helpful throughout", "Good background into UML".

As always, I will look to deliver with the latest version. This was a Rhapsody in C++ Essentials training using Rhapsody 8.3 (iFix 2) and was an official derivative of IBM material.