Glossary · Systems engineering and MBSE
System model
German: Systemmodell
In systems engineering, a system model is a model connecting system elements, relationships, functions, requirements, states and behavior. It is the central artifact of model-based systems engineering.
- Systems engineering
- Integrated systems
In one sentence
A system model connects elements, functions, requirements, states and behavior of a system in one structure that views and documents can be derived from.
Example
The system model of an AGV fleet links vehicles, the fleet manager, doors and elevators with their interfaces, safety functions, operating modes and the requirements they fulfill.
How it applies
- Structure: A system model is made of model elements and their relationships. Its structure should follow an agreed engineering information model.
- Integrated systems: Interfaces, modes and cross-machine behavior are visible in one place, which supports coupling analysis and impact analysis.
- Technical documentation: Documents and diagrams are views of the model. Keeping them derived rather than separate reduces divergence.
- Evidence: Under model governance, the model version is part of the configuration baseline and can support safety claims. An ungoverned model cannot.
System model vs. state model
The system model covers the whole system: structure, functions, requirements and behavior. A state model is one part of it, describing states and transitions.