System Verification and Validation Approach Using the MagicGrid Framework

The ongoing transformation in the industry from a document-based systems engineering to a model-based systems engineering approach reveals a need for new methods of verifying and validating systems. Traditional methods of testing the actual system are getting more and more expensive. A model-based environment could significantly reduce testing and, most importantly, verification and validation processes costs. It allows testing on the system model by applying various techniques, such as simulation, analysis, review, mock-ups, etc. There are, however, very few approaches today detailing how verification and validation of the entire system (taking into count its components and subsystems) could be performed. This paper proposes an approach to perform verification and validation of a system using system models developed with Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and in accordance with the MagicGrid (formerly known as MBSE Grid) framework. The approach covers system testing activities beginning with verification of the lowest modeled system elements against system requirements and finishing with validation of the system as a whole, against stakeholder needs.