FEATURE ARTICLE
Current Reality and Trends in Model-Based Systems Engineering–Insights from Industry Research By James Roche
Current Reality and Trends in ModelBased Systems Engineering – Insights from Industry Research by James Roche, CIMdata, Inc. Copyright © 2025 by CIMdata, Inc. All rights reserved. Authored for PPI SyEN
Abstract The value landscape for model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is expanding and shifting. To plan effectively, it is essential to clearly understand current state enablers and barriers, as well as future investment opportunities and drivers. These opportunities are enabled by new technologies and advanced protocols for collaboration and interoperability. The drivers include strategies and policies from government agencies, competitive pressures, and global dislocations. What is the true nature and value potential of these opportunities, and what are the business implications of these drivers? And what are the critical prerequisites to ensure success as we map our organization’s journey? In this article, I will share findings from an extensive research project recently completed on behalf of the Aerospace & Defense PLM Action Group (AD PAG) to answer these questions. This collaborative effort involved CIMdata and the AD PAG partnering with six PLM solution providers. Their main objective was to understand the needs, opportunities, drivers, and constraints that would guide investments in MBSE solution development and industry implementation. Introduction Over the past several years, digital everything—threads, twins, engineering—has been in the spotlight, and rightly so. However, alongside these topics, perhaps slightly in the shadows, has been modelbased systems engineering (MBSE). Now, MBSE is rising to greater prominence. For many of us, this seems appropriate, maybe even a bit overdue. With this prominence comes opportunities and expectations, and unfortunately, a fair amount of hype and confusion. To invest effectively in MBSE, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the current state enablers and barriers, as well as the future investment opportunities and drivers. What is the true nature and value potential of these opportunities, and what are the business implications of these drivers? INCOSE defines MBSE as “the formalized application of modeling to support system requirements, design, analysis, verification, and validation activities beginning in the conceptual design phase and continuing throughout development and later life cycle phases.” Across such an expansive landscape, what can be implemented to deliver value today? In what directions and at what pace will that value footprint expand? What are the critical prerequisites to ensure success as we map our organization’s journey? May 2025
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