The Division of Battle (DoW) is present process a big transformation in the way it acquires and develops software program techniques. Central to this evolution is the shift from conventional document-based processes to model-centric methodologies. On this context, researchers at Carnegie Mellon College Software program Engineering Institute (SEI) not too long ago analyzed the alignment of the DoW’s Software program Acquisition Pathway (SWP) with the Unified Structure Framework (UAF). The goal of the examine, as detailed on this weblog publish, is to operationalize model-based techniques engineering (MBSE) throughout the SWP utilizing UAF, which might improve traceability, decision-making, and compliance throughout the lifecycle.
The Want for a Mannequin-Centric Acquisition Technique
The federal authorities’s digital engineering technique, initiated in 2018 and strengthened by subsequent directives throughout navy branches, emphasizes using digital fashions as the first technique of communication in engineering actions. The 2023 launch of DoDI 5000.97 formalized this shift, requiring applications initiated thereafter to include digital engineering capabilities.
Regardless of this coverage momentum, implementing MBSE throughout various acquisition applications stays difficult. These challenges current invaluable alternatives throughout the SWP. Whereas the coverage is designed to streamline software program acquisition, there may be thrilling potential to boost it additional by incorporating clearer steerage on model-based techniques engineering (MBSE), particularly for embedded software program techniques that require excessive ranges of certification and assurance.
As a part of ongoing work to deal with these challenges, SEI researchers contributed as panelists on the twenty second Annual Acquisition Analysis Symposium hosted by the Naval Postgraduate Faculty. We additionally introduced the paper Synergizing the Software program Acquisition Pathway (SWP) With the Unified Structure Framework (UAF) For Operationalization. On this publish, we’ll introduce the ideas introduced within the paper together with an summary of the SWP, UAF, the SEI MBSynergy mission, and stroll via an instance associated to growing a Functionality Wants Assertion for the SWP program utilizing UAF.
A Give attention to the Software program Acquisition Pathway
The SWP supplies a tailor-made acquisition route for software-intensive techniques. Extra particularly, the SWP supplies software-intensive growth applications with a streamlined path for growing and delivering software program functionality, emphasizing using fashionable software program growth strategies and instruments for delivering functionality quickly.
The SWP lifecycle is separated into two major phases:
- The Planning Section focuses on defining functionality wants, growing methods and roadmaps, establishing infrastructure, and designing system structure.
- The Execution Section entails software program growth, testing, supply, and worth evaluation, with steady consumer engagement.
The pathway helps varied software program varieties, together with embedded software program, which was the main target of our examine. Embedded software program, usually built-in into weapon techniques, requires heightened scrutiny for security, cybersecurity, and operational effectiveness, making it a great candidate for MBSE utility.
As of the time of this publish, there are applications using the Software program Acquisition Pathway throughout all main departments of the DoW and related companies and the utilization of this pathway is rising in significance. A March 6, 2025, memo, Directing Trendy Software program Acquisition to Maximize Lethality directs the DoW to undertake the Software program Acquisition Pathway as the popular pathway for all software program growth applications.
Advantages of an UAF-Based mostly MBSE Strategy
The UAF, developed by the Object Administration Group (OMG), is a standardized modeling language that developed from frameworks like DoDAF, MoDAF, and NATO’s NAF. It supplies a complete set of 89 mannequin views organized by stakeholder viewpoints (e.g., operational, safety) and modeling elements (e.g., processes, parameters).
UAF’s structured semantics and extensibility make it well-suited for MBSE in advanced protection environments. Nonetheless, its breadth could be overwhelming for brand spanking new customers. To deal with this, the SEI examine leverages the UAF Area Meta Mannequin (DMM) model 1.2 and the Enterprise Structure Information for UAF to create a focused, scenario-based method tailor-made to the SWP.
The combination of UAF into the SWP affords a number of strategic benefits:
- enhanced traceability and digital threading. By structuring data in fashions, applications can set up strong digital threads that hyperlink necessities, design selections, and verification artifacts throughout the lifecycle.
- improved decision-making. Fashions allow early evaluation of tradeoffs, dangers, and high quality attributes, supporting extra knowledgeable and well timed selections.
- lowered documentation burden. Mannequin-based artifacts can exchange or increase conventional paperwork, streamlining compliance with statutory and regulatory necessities.
- better consistency and reusability. A standardized modeling method fosters consistency throughout applications and facilitates reuse of architectural patterns and companies.
- alignment with coverage and technique. The method straight helps DoDI 5000.97 and digital engineering methods from all navy departments, positioning applications for long-term success.
Utilizing Situations to Inform Strategic Improvement
A cohesive, well-designed technique is required to tell a constant digital engineering method and allow data fashions to be value-added and extra totally built-in into the software program growth course of. The SEI has developed a method for analyzing enterprise structure for the organizational worth of Digital Engineering and MBSE utilizing a scenario-based method.
The SEI’s MBSynergy mission goals to equip DoW stakeholders with instruments and methodologies to judge the worth of MBSE. Drawing from the Structure Tradeoff Evaluation Methodology (ATAM), the mission introduces a scenario-based modeling method to outline and analyze enterprise actions.
Every state of affairs is structured as an enter/output course of involving particular stakeholders, triggers, and measurable high quality attributes. This construction permits an in depth evaluation of how MBSE contributes to efficiency, modifiability, availability, and different architectural qualities.
For the SWP, the SEI recognized 25 eventualities throughout the planning and execution phases. These eventualities are grouped below seven enduring duties depicted within the determine beneath.
Determine 1: MBSynergy Situations of the Software program Acquisition Pathwy The determine relies on views from SEI’s “MBSynergy for Software program Acquisition Pathway” mannequin that was developed utilizing Cameo Enterprise Structure.
The core contribution of the examine is the mapping of SWP actions to UAF views, remodeling document-based processes into structured, analyzable fashions. This mapping was facilitated by evaluating the knowledge necessities of SWP steerage paperwork with the specs of UAF views.
Defining Software program Pathway Situations
One illustrative state of affairs is the event of the Functionality Wants Assertion (CNS) doc, a foundational doc required as a part of initiating the execution. Historically captured in a static Phrase template, the Functionality Wants Assertion consists of sections on operational context, functionality wants, system structure, scope, methodologies, schedule, dangers, and useful resource planning. We selected the CNS because the featured state of affairs as a result of it marks the primary artifact created below SWP processes, a foundational step that ensures steady traceability when embedded early in a digital mannequin all through the product lifecycle.
Within the model-based method, every part is translated into operational exercise actions, every producing particular UAF views. As an example, see Determine 2:
Determine 2: Operational Course of Circulation for Functionality Wants Assertion Definition. The determine relies on views from SEI’s “MBSynergy for Software program Acquisition Pathway” mannequin that was developed utilizing Cameo Enterprise Structure.
On this state of affairs, 5 key areas had been translated into operational exercise actions, every producing a set of UAF views. There may be an extra abstract and overview. These views had been then in comparison with the knowledge described within the template to test for alignment. The aim was to establish a minimal set of views that might meet the knowledge wants with out overwhelming mannequin architects and builders with too many specs.
Every operational exercise motion is supposed to be additional damaged down by particular person applications into detailed sub-activity course of flows. These flows assist make clear the precise roles and obligations of mission personnel. The UAF view diagrams proven within the determine function examples to information how parts ought to be modeled. Guaranteeing consistency and readability is a high precedence for making the fashions usable throughout all SWP customers.
The mannequin views that seize these foundational parts of the CNS will stay traceable all through planning and execution, supporting design, growth, and worth assessments. This traceability strengthens the connection between early lifecycle data and what’s developed later, each inside a state of affairs and throughout totally different eventualities.
To additional illustrate what this would possibly look in follow, the SEI is creating an instance Functionality Wants Assertion (CNS) utilizing UAF views to align its core parts in a model-based format. This instance will present how mannequin information helps different eventualities, highlighting the advantages of improved traceability, reusability, and consistency in comparison with conventional document-based approaches.
Future Instructions and Collaboration Alternatives
The SEI’s examine represents a contributing step towards realizing the DoW’s imaginative and prescient for digital engineering. By mapping the Software program Acquisition Pathway to the Unified Structure Framework via a scenario-based method, the examine supplies a sensible, scalable technique for integrating MBSE into software program acquisition.
The SEI is actively searching for collaboration with DoW applications to pilot the UAF-based MBSE method and tackle different areas of curiosity referring to using fashions as a part of the software program growth lifecycle together with
- steady mannequin growth alongside software program supply
- integration of AI and huge language fashions (LLMs) for mannequin technology and evaluation
- embedding UAF information into software program manufacturing facility pipelines for automated resolution assist
These initiatives goal to additional operationalize digital engineering and show the tangible worth of MBSE in real-world acquisition contexts.
This model-centric technique not solely enhances compliance and traceability but in addition empowers applications to make higher selections, scale back threat, and ship higher-quality software program capabilities. Because the DoW continues to modernize its acquisition processes, the combination of UAF and MBSE into the SWP affords a compelling blueprint for achievement.
The analysis was an output of the MBSynergy line mission sponsored by the Workplace of the Below Secretary of Battle for Analysis and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)).
