Identifying the impact of modeling and simulation in the generation of system level requirements

Abstract

Requirements generation is an influential time in the evolution of the program. It allocates 70% of the life-cycle cost of a program and is responsible for a large percentage of the system errors and cost overruns. This project lays the framework of the current state of requirements generation and then focuses on the use of modeling and simulation within the process. It is shown that although modeling and simulation tools are being used extensively in requirements generation in many programs throughout the DoD, their effectiveness is largely undocumented and areas of high leverage are unknown. Research results also indicate that the more effective use of M&S within requirements generation could be achieved with increased tool interoperability and easier tool validation and verification. Finally, the ability to perform more iteration early and M&S use as a boundary object for communication are set forth as the two main benefits of M&S.