Glossary · Systems engineering and MBSE
Model governance
In model-based engineering, model governance is the set of rules defining who creates, changes, reviews, approves, versions and audits models. It makes models trustworthy enough to serve as evidence.
- Systems engineering
- Verification
In one sentence
Model governance sets who may create, change, review, approve, version and audit engineering models, so models can serve as evidence.
Example
A robot manufacturer's model governance allows any engineer to propose changes to the system model, but requires a safety engineer's approval for changes to elements linked to safety functions.
How it applies
- Evidence: In MBSE, a model that anyone can change without record cannot support a safety claim. Governance provides review, approval and audit trails.
- Change management: Apply configuration control to models like to software: baselines, change requests, versions.
- Integrated systems: Define ownership per model area and per supplier. Rules for importing external models belong here too.
- AI and retrieval: If AI tools generate or modify model content, governance defines how their output is reviewed and approved before it becomes part of the baseline.
Model governance vs. schema governance
Schema governance controls the structure that data and models must follow. Model governance controls the content of the models and who may change it.