Glossary · Systems engineering and MBSE
System element
In systems engineering, a system element is an identifiable component, subsystem, function, interface, requirement, risk or evidence item within a system model. It is the unit that can be named, linked, versioned and verified.
- Systems engineering
- Data and interfaces
In one sentence
A system element is any identifiable item in a system model, from components and interfaces to requirements, risks and evidence.
Example
In the model of a CNC machine, the spindle drive, the safe speed monitoring function, the hazard “contact with rotating tool” and its test report are all system elements linked to each other.
How it applies
- Scope: The definition used here is broader than in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, where a system element is a member of the set of elements that make up a system. Here it also covers requirements, risks and evidence items in the model.
- Traceability: Give each element a stable identity, so that traceability links and versions can attach to it.
- Integrated systems: Elements supplied by others (a scanner, a drive, a software library) need the same identification as in-house ones.
- Technical documentation: Documentation topics can reference system elements. Then a change to an element flags the affected content.
System element vs. model element
A system element is part of the system as described. A model element is its representation in a particular model or tool. One system element can appear in several models.