Bridging the gap between product lines and systems engineering: an experience in variability management for automotive model based systems engineering

We present in this paper an experience in modeling a family of parking brake systems, with shared assets and alternative solutions, and relate them to the needs of Renault in terms of variability management. The models are realized using a set of customized tools for model based systems engineering and variability management, based on SysML models. The purpose is to present an industrial context that requires the adoption of a product line approach and of variability modeling techniques, outside of a pure-software domain. At Renault, the interest is in identifying variations and reuse opportunities early in the product development cycle, as well as in preparing vehicle configuration specifications during the systems engineering process. This would lead to lowering the engineering effort and to higher quality and confidence in carry-over and carry across based solutions. We advocate for a tight integration of variability management with the model based systems engineering approach, which needs to address methodological support, modeling techniques and efficient tools for interactive configuration, adapted for engineering activities.