MBSE-Lite: a framework for adopting model-based systems engineering in small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa
Abstract
Purpose – This research aims to characterise the landscape and factors for successfully implementing Systems Engineering (SE) and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in the enterprise.
Research methodology – The study investigated the factors across different industries that affect the success of MBSE in an enterprise using a survey questionnaire. The research focussed on the uptake and implementation of MBSE in Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. More than 100 industry professionals participated in the study.
Findings – The survey revealed that SMEs have trouble adopting and implementing MBSE because they are unaware of its applicability and lack economic justification and support from upper management. Quantitative data analysis assessed how factors such as MBSE training, existing SE processes in the enterprise, and how long the company has been using MBSE contribute to the success of MBSE adoption in SMEs.
Research limitations – The population size limited the study reached and the time available to conduct the research. However, it does not reduce the results’ strength and validity.
Practical implications – The analysis showed that training and an existing SE structure are highly significant, while the age of MBSE in the enterprise does not correlate with its success. Therefore, these results proposed an adoption framework for SMEs in South Africa to aid MBSE adoption by incorporating training and a clear uptake and implementation process.
Originality/Value – This research builds on the growing body of literature about implementing MBSE and enterprises. The conclusions provide valuable insights and guidelines for implementing MBSE in SMEs.
Keyword : model-based systems engineering, small and medium-sized enterprises, MBSE adoption, MBSE implementation
How to Cite
Nanfuka, J. G., & Oosthuizen, R. (2023). MBSE-Lite: a framework for adopting model-based systems engineering in small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa. Business, Management and Economics Engineering, 21(2), 218–236. https://doi.org/10.3846/bmee.2023.19170
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Chami, M., & Bruel, J.-M. (2018). A survey on MBSE adoption challenges. In INCOSE EMEA Sector Systems Engineering Conference (INCOSE EMEASEC 2018).
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Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Great Britain) (CIPD). (2018). Assessing the early impact of the apprenticeship levy: employers’ perspective.
Czaja, A., Dumitrescu, R., & Anacker, H. (2016). Target-oriented implementation of systems engineering in medium-sized enterprises: Project example for mbse implementation in mechanical and plant engineering. In 2016 IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering (ISSE) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SysEng.2016.7753192
Douglass, B. P. (2005). The harmony process [I-Logix white paper]. I-Logix. Burlington, MA, USA.
Department of Trade and Industry. (2005). Integrated strategy on the promotion of entrepreneurship and small enterprises. Government Printers, Republic of South Africa Pretoria.
Easterby-Smith, M., Jaspersen, L. J., Thorpe, R., & Valizade, D. (2021). Management and business research. Sage.
Faudou, R., Fanmuy, G., Duprez, J., Piques, J.-D., & Dorel, X. (2016). Requirements and architecture within modelling context.
Faulconbridge, R. I., & Ryan, M. J. (2003). Managing complex technical projects: A systems engineering approach. Artech House.
Ferguson, R., Marshall, J., & Guzman, M. (2020). Adapting progressive MBSE development to document based contracts. In 2020 IEEE Aerospace Conference (pp. 1–11). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO47225.2020.9172671
Fisher, A., Nolan, M., Friedenthal, S., Loeffler, M., Sampson, M., Bajaj, M., VanZandt, L., Hovey, K., Palmer, J., & Hart, L. (2014). Model lifecycle management for MBSE. INCOSE International Symposium, 24(1), 207–229. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2334-5837.2014.tb03145.x
Galinier, S., & Laporte, C. Y. (2018). Connecting business development and systems engineering with ISO/IEC 29110 standard in small and medium enterprises of France. In 2018 IEEE International Systems Engineering Symposium (ISSE) (pp. 1–7). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SysEng.2018.8544393
Gelosh, D. S., Snoderly, J. R., Heisey, M., Anthony Jr, J. F., & Nidiffer, K. (2014). Developing the next generation of the INCOSE systems engineering competency framework. INCOSE International Symposium, 24(1), 635–642. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2334-5837.2014.tb03172.x
Goode, H. H., Machol, R. E., & Teichmann, T. (1957). System engineering. Physics Today, 10(9), 34. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3060491
Gräßler, I., & Hentze, J. (2018). Application potentials of systems engineering for small and middle-sized enterprises. Procedia CIRP, 67, 510–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2017.12.253
Gregory, J., Berthoud, L., Tryfonas, T., Rossignol, A., & Faure, L. (2020). The long and winding road: MBSE adoption for functional avionics of spacecraft. Journal of Systems and Software, 160, 110453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2019.110453
Hair Jr, J. F., Matthews, L. M., Matthews, R. L., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). PLS-SEM or CB-SEM: Updated guidelines on which method to use. International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis, 1(2), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMDA.2017.087624
Henderson, K., & Salado, A. (2021). Value and benefits of model‐based systems engineering (MBSE): Evidence from the literature. Systems Engineering, 24(1), 51–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/sys.21566
Hit, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2016). Strategic management. Competitiveness & globalization concepts and case. Cengage Learning.
Holt, J. (2017). Don’t panic: the absolute beginner’s guide to model-based systems engineering. Incose UK Limited.
Huldt, T., & Stenius, I. (2019). State‐of‐practice survey of model‐based systems engineering. Systems Engineering, 22(2), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/sys.21466
Kass, N., & Kolozs, J. (2016). Getting started with MBSE in product development. INCOSE International Symposium, 26(1), 526–541. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2334-5837.2016.00176.x
Khoshgoftar, M., & Osman, O. (2009). Comparison of maturity models. In 2009 2nd IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Information Technology (pp. 297–301). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCSIT.2009.5234402
Kruchten, P. (2004). The rational unified process: An introduction. Addison-Wesley Professional.
Laporte, C., & Vargas, E. P. (2014). The development of international standards to facilitate process improvements for very small entities. In Software design and development: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications (pp. 1335–1361). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-4301-7.ch065
Laporte, C. Y., O’Connor, R. V, & Paucar, L. H. G. (2016). The implementation of ISO/IEC 29110 software engineering standards and guides in very small entities. In L. A. Maciaszek & J. Filipe (Eds.), Communications in computer and information science: Vol. 599. Evaluation of novel approaches to software engineering (pp. 162–179). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30243-0_9
Long, D., & Scott, Z. (2012). A primer for model-based systems engineering. Lulu.com.
Lykins, H., Friedenthal, S., & Meilich, A. (2000). Adapting UML for an object oriented systems engineering method (OOSEM). INCOSE International Symposium, 10(1), 490–497.
Makwara, T. (2019). Taking on the challenge: Small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) and socioeconomic development in South Africa. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(1), 1–14.
Mapila, K., Chiliya, N., & Chiliya, W. (2014). An exploratory study on the marketing strategies adopted by small micro and medium enterprises in Johannesburg central business district. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(25), 118.
Martin, J. (2022). SEBoK – Guide to the systems engineering body of knowledge.
McChrystal, G. S., Collins, T., Silverman, D., & Fussell, C. (2015). Team of teams: New rules of engagement for a complex world. Penguin.
Nagpal, J., Kumar, A., Kakar, S., & Bhartia, A. (2010). The development of quality of life instrument for Indian diabetes patients (QOLID): A validation and reliability study in middle and higher income groups. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 58(5), 295–304.
O’Connor, R. V, Basri, S., & Coleman, G. (2010). Exploring managerial commitment towards SPI in small and very small enterprises. In A. Riel, R. O’Connor, S. Tichkiewitch, & R. Messnarz (Eds.), Communications in computer and information science: Vol. 99. Systems, software and services process improvement (pp. 268–279). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15666-3_24
O’connor, R. V, & Coleman, G. (2009). Ignoring “BEST PRACTICE”: Why Irish software SMEs are rejecting CMMI and ISO 9000. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v16i1.557
O’Connor, R. V, & Laporte, C. Y. (2017). The evolution of the ISO/IEC 29110 set of standards and guides. International Journal of Information Technologies and Systems Approach (IJITSA), 10(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJITSA.2017010101
Peytchev, A., Couper, M. P., McCabe, S. E., & Crawford, S. D. (2006). Web survey design: Paging versus scrolling. International Journal of Public Opinion Quarterly, 70(4), 596–607. https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfl028
Pratt, M., & Dabkowski, M. (2022). Analysing the integration of MBSE approaches within the aerospace industry according to UTAUT. Industrial and Systems Engineering Review, 10(2), 127–134.
Savary-Leblanc, M., Le-Pallec, X., & Gérard, S. (2021). A modeling assistant for cognifying MBSE tools. In 2021 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems Companion (MODELS-C) (pp. 630–634). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/MODELS-C53483.2021.00097
Schirmer, S., & Visser, R. (2021). What role can small and micro businesses play in achieving inclusive growth? Questions requiring answers.
Schwab, K. (2015). The fourth industrial revolution: What it means and how to respond. Council of Foreign Relations.
Soni, P., Cowden, R., & Kariodia, A. M. (2015). Investigating the characteristics and challenges of SMMEs in eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Nigerian Chapter), 3(10), 16–93. https://doi.org/10.12816/0017683
Suryadevara, J., & Tiwari, S. (2018). Adopting MBSE in construction equipment industry: An experience report. In 2018 25th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC) (pp. 512–521). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/APSEC.2018.00066
Vogelsang, A., Amorim, T., Pudlitz, F., Gersing, P., & Philipps, J. (2017). Should I stay or should I go? On forces that drive and prevent MBSE adoption in the embedded systems industry. In M. Felderer, D. Méndez Fernández, B. Turhan, M. Kalinowski, F. Sarro, & D. Winkler (Eds.), Lecture notes in computer science: Vol. 10611. Product-focused software process improvement (pp. 182–198). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69926-4_14
Walden, D. D., Roedler, G. J., Forsberg, K., Hamelin, R. D., & Shortell, T. M. (2015). Systems engineering handbook: A guide for system life cycle processes and activities (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Wymore, A. W. (2018). Model-based systems engineering (Vol. 3). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203746936
Zhou, H., & Zondo, R. W. D. (2023). The role of business incubation programmes on the performance of small and medium enterprises in South Africa. The Seybold Report, 18(05).
Amorim, T., Vogelsang, A., Pudlitz, F., Gersing, P., & Philipps, J. (2019). Strategies and best practices for model-based systems engineering adoption in embedded systems industry. In 2019 IEEE/ACM 41st International Conference on Software Engineering: Software Engineering in Practice (ICSE-SEIP) (pp. 203–212). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSE-SEIP.2019.00030
Arnold, R. D., & Wade, J. P. (2015). A definition of systems thinking: A systems approach. Procedia Computer Science, 44, 669–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.03.050
Chami, M., & Bruel, J.-M. (2018). A survey on MBSE adoption challenges. In INCOSE EMEA Sector Systems Engineering Conference (INCOSE EMEASEC 2018).
Chapurlat, V., & Nastov, B. (2020). Deploying MBSE in SME context: Revisiting and equipping Digital Mock-Up. In 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering (ISSE) (pp. 1–8). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISSE49799.2020.9272230
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Great Britain) (CIPD). (2018). Assessing the early impact of the apprenticeship levy: employers’ perspective.
Czaja, A., Dumitrescu, R., & Anacker, H. (2016). Target-oriented implementation of systems engineering in medium-sized enterprises: Project example for mbse implementation in mechanical and plant engineering. In 2016 IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering (ISSE) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SysEng.2016.7753192
Douglass, B. P. (2005). The harmony process [I-Logix white paper]. I-Logix. Burlington, MA, USA.
Department of Trade and Industry. (2005). Integrated strategy on the promotion of entrepreneurship and small enterprises. Government Printers, Republic of South Africa Pretoria.
Easterby-Smith, M., Jaspersen, L. J., Thorpe, R., & Valizade, D. (2021). Management and business research. Sage.
Faudou, R., Fanmuy, G., Duprez, J., Piques, J.-D., & Dorel, X. (2016). Requirements and architecture within modelling context.
Faulconbridge, R. I., & Ryan, M. J. (2003). Managing complex technical projects: A systems engineering approach. Artech House.
Ferguson, R., Marshall, J., & Guzman, M. (2020). Adapting progressive MBSE development to document based contracts. In 2020 IEEE Aerospace Conference (pp. 1–11). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO47225.2020.9172671
Fisher, A., Nolan, M., Friedenthal, S., Loeffler, M., Sampson, M., Bajaj, M., VanZandt, L., Hovey, K., Palmer, J., & Hart, L. (2014). Model lifecycle management for MBSE. INCOSE International Symposium, 24(1), 207–229. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2334-5837.2014.tb03145.x
Galinier, S., & Laporte, C. Y. (2018). Connecting business development and systems engineering with ISO/IEC 29110 standard in small and medium enterprises of France. In 2018 IEEE International Systems Engineering Symposium (ISSE) (pp. 1–7). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SysEng.2018.8544393
Gelosh, D. S., Snoderly, J. R., Heisey, M., Anthony Jr, J. F., & Nidiffer, K. (2014). Developing the next generation of the INCOSE systems engineering competency framework. INCOSE International Symposium, 24(1), 635–642. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2334-5837.2014.tb03172.x
Goode, H. H., Machol, R. E., & Teichmann, T. (1957). System engineering. Physics Today, 10(9), 34. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3060491
Gräßler, I., & Hentze, J. (2018). Application potentials of systems engineering for small and middle-sized enterprises. Procedia CIRP, 67, 510–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2017.12.253
Gregory, J., Berthoud, L., Tryfonas, T., Rossignol, A., & Faure, L. (2020). The long and winding road: MBSE adoption for functional avionics of spacecraft. Journal of Systems and Software, 160, 110453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2019.110453
Hair Jr, J. F., Matthews, L. M., Matthews, R. L., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). PLS-SEM or CB-SEM: Updated guidelines on which method to use. International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis, 1(2), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMDA.2017.087624
Henderson, K., & Salado, A. (2021). Value and benefits of model‐based systems engineering (MBSE): Evidence from the literature. Systems Engineering, 24(1), 51–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/sys.21566
Hit, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2016). Strategic management. Competitiveness & globalization concepts and case. Cengage Learning.
Holt, J. (2017). Don’t panic: the absolute beginner’s guide to model-based systems engineering. Incose UK Limited.
Huldt, T., & Stenius, I. (2019). State‐of‐practice survey of model‐based systems engineering. Systems Engineering, 22(2), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/sys.21466
Kass, N., & Kolozs, J. (2016). Getting started with MBSE in product development. INCOSE International Symposium, 26(1), 526–541. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2334-5837.2016.00176.x
Khoshgoftar, M., & Osman, O. (2009). Comparison of maturity models. In 2009 2nd IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Information Technology (pp. 297–301). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCSIT.2009.5234402
Kruchten, P. (2004). The rational unified process: An introduction. Addison-Wesley Professional.
Laporte, C., & Vargas, E. P. (2014). The development of international standards to facilitate process improvements for very small entities. In Software design and development: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications (pp. 1335–1361). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-4301-7.ch065
Laporte, C. Y., O’Connor, R. V, & Paucar, L. H. G. (2016). The implementation of ISO/IEC 29110 software engineering standards and guides in very small entities. In L. A. Maciaszek & J. Filipe (Eds.), Communications in computer and information science: Vol. 599. Evaluation of novel approaches to software engineering (pp. 162–179). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30243-0_9
Long, D., & Scott, Z. (2012). A primer for model-based systems engineering. Lulu.com.
Lykins, H., Friedenthal, S., & Meilich, A. (2000). Adapting UML for an object oriented systems engineering method (OOSEM). INCOSE International Symposium, 10(1), 490–497.
Makwara, T. (2019). Taking on the challenge: Small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) and socioeconomic development in South Africa. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(1), 1–14.
Mapila, K., Chiliya, N., & Chiliya, W. (2014). An exploratory study on the marketing strategies adopted by small micro and medium enterprises in Johannesburg central business district. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(25), 118.
Martin, J. (2022). SEBoK – Guide to the systems engineering body of knowledge.
McChrystal, G. S., Collins, T., Silverman, D., & Fussell, C. (2015). Team of teams: New rules of engagement for a complex world. Penguin.
Nagpal, J., Kumar, A., Kakar, S., & Bhartia, A. (2010). The development of quality of life instrument for Indian diabetes patients (QOLID): A validation and reliability study in middle and higher income groups. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 58(5), 295–304.
O’Connor, R. V, Basri, S., & Coleman, G. (2010). Exploring managerial commitment towards SPI in small and very small enterprises. In A. Riel, R. O’Connor, S. Tichkiewitch, & R. Messnarz (Eds.), Communications in computer and information science: Vol. 99. Systems, software and services process improvement (pp. 268–279). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15666-3_24
O’connor, R. V, & Coleman, G. (2009). Ignoring “BEST PRACTICE”: Why Irish software SMEs are rejecting CMMI and ISO 9000. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v16i1.557
O’Connor, R. V, & Laporte, C. Y. (2017). The evolution of the ISO/IEC 29110 set of standards and guides. International Journal of Information Technologies and Systems Approach (IJITSA), 10(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJITSA.2017010101
Peytchev, A., Couper, M. P., McCabe, S. E., & Crawford, S. D. (2006). Web survey design: Paging versus scrolling. International Journal of Public Opinion Quarterly, 70(4), 596–607. https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfl028
Pratt, M., & Dabkowski, M. (2022). Analysing the integration of MBSE approaches within the aerospace industry according to UTAUT. Industrial and Systems Engineering Review, 10(2), 127–134.
Savary-Leblanc, M., Le-Pallec, X., & Gérard, S. (2021). A modeling assistant for cognifying MBSE tools. In 2021 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems Companion (MODELS-C) (pp. 630–634). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/MODELS-C53483.2021.00097
Schirmer, S., & Visser, R. (2021). What role can small and micro businesses play in achieving inclusive growth? Questions requiring answers.
Schwab, K. (2015). The fourth industrial revolution: What it means and how to respond. Council of Foreign Relations.
Soni, P., Cowden, R., & Kariodia, A. M. (2015). Investigating the characteristics and challenges of SMMEs in eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Nigerian Chapter), 3(10), 16–93. https://doi.org/10.12816/0017683
Suryadevara, J., & Tiwari, S. (2018). Adopting MBSE in construction equipment industry: An experience report. In 2018 25th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC) (pp. 512–521). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/APSEC.2018.00066
Vogelsang, A., Amorim, T., Pudlitz, F., Gersing, P., & Philipps, J. (2017). Should I stay or should I go? On forces that drive and prevent MBSE adoption in the embedded systems industry. In M. Felderer, D. Méndez Fernández, B. Turhan, M. Kalinowski, F. Sarro, & D. Winkler (Eds.), Lecture notes in computer science: Vol. 10611. Product-focused software process improvement (pp. 182–198). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69926-4_14
Walden, D. D., Roedler, G. J., Forsberg, K., Hamelin, R. D., & Shortell, T. M. (2015). Systems engineering handbook: A guide for system life cycle processes and activities (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Wymore, A. W. (2018). Model-based systems engineering (Vol. 3). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203746936
Zhou, H., & Zondo, R. W. D. (2023). The role of business incubation programmes on the performance of small and medium enterprises in South Africa. The Seybold Report, 18(05).