Handling complexity of large high-level specifications in simulation environment: the case of transformational model-battle management

Abstract

Modeling system requirements at a high level can significantly facilitate the communication of mental models across highly heterogeneous entities. Two major challenges may arise during such a process. The first is the degree to which details of the higher-level specifications can capture and effectively handle. Especially, when the model contains more nuanced descriptions of parallel execution and temporal pacing. The second challenge arises when realizing such specifications downstream due to ambiguities and incompleteness encountered in higher-level semiformal artifacts. We propose a formal specification and transformation of higher-level artifacts, particularly in the operational activity model of the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (OV-5 DoDAF). We create an isomorphic activity model corresponding to each activity in the Transformational Model-Battle Management. Then, we generate a code for simulating the models as Markov Discrete Event System Specifications. We demonstrate the size and other aspects of the experiments that can be conducted based on the generated simulation and the level of complexity in such an approach. We highlight aspects of managing complexity using model transformations and code generation techniques in a full-cycle model-based system engineering approach, expediting the process toward arriving at the concrete realization of simulation models that only originated from minimal high-level metamodels and artifacts.