Style Guides
This page is dedicated to promoting the development and adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Style Guides within the US Air Force. Our goal is to establish a uniform MBSE style guide that provides a better foundation for model development, mitigating confusion incurred due to model translations and deliverables.
SSC MBSE Style Guide Version 1.1
We are pleased to announce the release of the SSC MBSE Style Guide Version 1.1, intended for use by any program within the Air Force. The purpose of this Style Guide is to establish a set of validation rules that enable and verify proper MBSE model development. The scope of this Style Guide is to define validation rules to develop SysML-compliant MBSE models for utilization across the Air Force enterprise.
The SSC MBSE Style Guide Version 1.1 is designed to provide critical MBSE government guidance, and its adoption is encouraged across the Air Force. This Style Guide does not dictate when diagrams should be used in models or what diagrams to request in a contract, but rather provides rules that can be validated for elements used within a model.
The Point of Contact for the SSC Style Guide is listed within the document.
Capability Development MBSE Guidebook
The Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) Office created a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Guidebook for early capability development that provides knowledge on the application of MBSE to the process of early systems engineering.
This guidebook is the culmination of an effort by the SDPE Office to address a complex, ill-defined process using MBSE and a phased base approach called the Capability Development Process Framework. While this is specific to the early systems engineering problem set, the guidebook addresses digital engineering concepts that a program could use in other acquisition process challenges.
The method begins with a notional assessment of cost and capability for solution types to meet a project goal. Next, promising solution types are down selected and refined into concept types. These concept types are defined and analyzed in terms of notionally assessed Performance, Effectiveness, Risk, Cost, Schedule, and Suitability. Modeling, Simulation, and Analysist tools are coupled with the MBSE system architecture to refine the measures that define a concept’s capability.
Other MBSE Style Guides
In addition to the SSC MBSE Style Guide, there are other style guides used across the Department of the Air Force. These include:
- AFLCMC Style Guide.mdzip: This Cameo model will help aid your adoption of the AFLCMC Style Guide, which is based on 9 different style guides, including the SSC Style Guide. This Style Guide is developed and maintained by the AFLCMC Style Guide Working Group, heading by Keith Siders, AFLCMC/EZSI.
- DOD Mission Architecture Style Guide: The development of this guide was led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Mission Integration (MI) directorate within the Office of Defense for Research and Engineering, Mission Capabilities (OUSD R&E / MC) with support from the Department of Defense Mission Engineering Practitioners Forum and external ME stakeholders. The MASG will aid model-based systems engineers and architects in the creation, presentation, and analysis of model-based mission architectures. The style guide was developed to synergize the creation and sharing of mission architectures across the Department of Defense (DoD). The MASG focuses on mission architecture development as a fundamental element of Mission Engineering as defined in the MEG 2.0.
- Space Warfighter Analysis Center (SWAC) Style Guide: An exemplar style guide that walks through the creation of Systems Modeling Language Block Definition Diagrams and State Machine Diagrams, presenting rules for the use of these two types of diagrams.
AFRL_RV Style Guide v1.3: A style guide intended to act as the starting point for any model involving space vehicles, providing a foundation for model development and enabling continual integration of project models into an enterprise architecture.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
This page aims to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, including program offices, industry partners, and government entities, to promote the development and adoption of MBSE style guides. We encourage feedback, suggestions, and contributions to ensure the continuous improvement of our MBSE style guides.
By promoting the use of MBSE style guides, we can ensure better model interoperability, improved systems engineering practices, and enhanced collaboration across the Air Force enterprise.
This continuous learning module provides key information, from a Systems Engineering perspective. It outlines how Models, Simulations, and Digital Engineering can be a benefit over the entire system life cycle and how M&S and DE can support Systems Engineering processes. https://icatalog.dau.edu/mobile/CLModuleDetails.aspx
Recommended for: Foundational Functional-Specific Digital Awareness Education & Training
This Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) course and the Digital Thread courses featured earlier in this specialization bring together the concepts from across digital manufacturing and design, forming a vision in which the geometry of a product is just one way of describing it. MBSE is where the model resulting from the evolution of system requirements, design, analysis, verification, and validation activities is the focus of design and manufacturing. Students will gain an understanding of systems engineering, the model-based approach to design and manufacturing, the Digital Twin, and a roadmap toward a model-based enterprise.
https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx
Recommended for: Foundational Functional-Specific Digital Awareness Education & Training
The Foundational Intellectual Property (IP) Credential is a cross-functional, general purpose credential providing the DoD acquisition workforce with the knowledge of basic IP and Data rights concepts and skills necessary to effectively acquire, license, and manage IP, as prescribed in the core principles described in DoD Instruction 5010.44, IP Acquisition and Licensing. Candidates who successfully complete the requirements for this credential will understand how to integrate IP planning fully into acquisition strategies and product support strategies to protect core DoD interests over the entire life cycle.
https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx
Recommended for: Program Managers, Product Support Manager, Config/Data Manager, Contracting Officer
The Agile: DoD Team Member credential is a cross-functional, general purpose credential on the tenets and principles of agile that will provide the owner the knowledge and skills necessary to perform on an Agile Program in the DoD. The credential will explore what it takes to perform a successful agile transformation across an organization. The candidate for this credential will take a skills and knowledge assessment demonstrating their mastery of these skills. The owner of this credential will be able to do the following, but not limited to: Create a Product Vision, Create a Product Roadmap, Write a User Story, Participate in an Iteration/Sprint Planning Meeting, and interpret agile metrics.
https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=2147
The targeted attendees for this Credential include Project Manager, Engineering, Test, Logistics, Business, Financial, Others (e.g., Contracting Officers, IT).
This self-paced, web-based course introduces students to the importance of applying SE to acquisition and sustainment programs, provides an overview of SE concepts and process elements, and describes the interactions between SE and other functional areas.
https://www.afit.edu/ls/course.cfm?c=92
Recommended for: System Engineer, Project Engineer
There is a need for all acquisition professionals to understand the interdisciplinary and cross- functional nature of Systems Engineering (SE), and the benefits of following a sound SE process. This course provides the knowledge and understanding necessary to meet this need. Students (engineers and non- engineering professionals) are introduced to SE concepts and the SE process. The activities and tools for implementing and managing the SE process during various phases of the system life cycle, and the interactions between SE and other disciplines/functions are discussed. Exercises give students the opportunity to apply SE tools to the acquisition and sustainment life cycle.
https://www.afit.edu/LS/course.cfm?c=85
Recommended for: System Engineer, Project Engineer
This Model-Based Systems Engineering MBSE workshop introduces students to the Systems Modeling Language SysML using the Cameo Systems Modeler tool while applying the fundamentals of the Object-Oriented System Engineering Method OOSEM. This workshop will provide hands-on tool experience through a set of small exercises including concept refinement, definition, requirements extraction/analysis, trade study analysis, performance modeling and impact analysis. Students will learn about specific modeling elements packages, blocks, internal blocks, use cases, relationships, etc. and diagrams requirement, use case, activity, sequence, parametric, etc., as well as essential standards, conventions and styles. Upon completion, students will be able to interpret rudimentary models in support of programmatic decisions. Students are not required to have any previous experience or exposure to MBSE or SysML prior to attending the course. Students are required to install Cameo Systems Modeler on a local computer personal or government.
https://www.afit.edu/ls/course.cfm?c=353
*NOTE: The AF Digital Transformation office is funding these courses in FY22 for program office usage
Recommended for: System Engineer, Project Engineer, System Modeler
AFIT Graduate Systems Engineering Certificate Program
This graduate Certificate consists of the four SE core courses. As most disciplined engineers in acquisition perform many systems engineering activities, this graduate certificate is highly relevant to most developmental engineers. Such course topics include: modern model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methods and tools, agile software development, the use of System Modeling Language (SysML) and architecture frameworks.
https://www.afit.edu/EN/programs.cfm?a=view&D=52
Recommended for: System Engineer, System Modeler
Additional Intermediate/Advanced MBSE Courses
- Dassault Simulation Toolkit
- Delligatti OCSMP
- Delligatti OOSEM
Object Management Group (OMG) Certified Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP)
- Level 0 – OCSMP Model User
- Level 1 – OCSMP Model Builder – Fundamental
- Level 2 – OCSMP Model Builder – Intermediate
- Level 3 – OCSMP Model Builder – Advanced
Delligatti: OCSMP Accelerator SysML — https://delligattiassociates.com/training/
Recommended for: System Modeler
Teaching Science & Technology Inc: This 4-day course takes a step-wise approach to addressing the “why?”, “what?”, and “how?” of model-based systems engineering (MBSE). The course begins by laying the foundation with a broad overview of the processes, practices, tools and techniques that comprise the emerging discipline of MBSE, with a focus on application for the user, practitioner, as well as model developer. The course reviews the systems engineering framework and protocols that establish the context for MBSE practice. We then examine the evolution of MBSE from paper to software and briefly review the concept and usages of modeling languages (UML, SysML, LML, etc.) and tools.
Recommended for: Test, Quality Control
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Learn the benefits of using models and their simulation to improve engineering processes and provide practical means for system of systems integration planning, improve live test planning, and represent system attributes not easily examined in real-time.
https://options.cps.uah.edu/searchResults.cfm?prgID=3
Recommended for: Test, Quality Control
All are free to DoD military, government and contractors (limitations to contractors only with Coursera Guided Projects/Labs)
https://rise.articulate.com/share/y6wy22OthQdmp39eYwtDRS2gm9BC2CuX
Contact Us to Request Other Guides
NON-DOD: Please Contact [email protected] to request more information or a copy of the SDPE MBSE Guidebook or Style Guides. Requests from a non-.MIL address will need to come from a government sponsor due to current Distribution restrictions.
DOD: can access these resources on the internal AFMC Digital Guide.
