A Methodological Framework for SysML: a Problem Frames-based Approach

Recently, SysML has been adopted by the Object Management Group as a modelling language for Systems Engineering. SysML is a UML profile that represents a subset of UML 2 with extensions. A wide adoption of the language could be hindered by the lack of a methodology that drives the modelling activities. Problem Frames (PFs) are a rigorous approach to requirements modelling that has the potential to improve the software development process. Unfortunately, PFs are not supported by an intuitive notation and easy to use tools. As a consequence, their adoption in industry is limited. This paper explores the possibility of exploiting the PFs ideas in the context of SysML models. The goal is to provide model-based development processes using SysML with a set of concepts and guidelines that are sound and have already been used and validated.