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The OCSMP Model Builder - Advanced Examination tests the knowledge and skills used to establish and support a systems modeling culture and environment, leveraging the capabilities of SysML and MBSE across the organization. Topic areas include: (1) Concepts for adapting SysML; (2) Approaches to integrating SysML with other modeling languages;  (3) Approaches to integrating SysML modeling tools with other types of engineering tools; and (4) Methodology-related concepts and practices . With the knowledge and skills covered at this level, plus suitable experience in modeling, methods, tools, management, and leadership, a holder of the OCSMP Model Builder - Advanced certification can play a leading role in establishing SysML-based MBSE at an enterprise, or extending its penetration into new departments or product areas. The OCSMP Model Builder - Advanced certification requires the OCSMP Model Builder - Intermediate certification as its prerequisite.

This page starts with the Coverage Map for the OCSMP Model Builder - Advanced Examination - a list of the topics and subtopics covered, and the percentage of the exam that each occupies. Following the Coverage Map is the list of references, along with suggestions for study. Candidates are advised to review the references and study suggestion in this last section carefully, This section has been written to guide the candidate to productive study.  

OCSMP MODEL BUILDER - ADVANCED EXAM - REFERENCE LIST

For this Advanced level, with its broader array of topics, we have arranged the reference list by topic instead of by document type. 

Concepts for adapting SysML including metamodeling, profiles, model libraries, and viewpoints: 

• A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language by Sanford Friedenthal, Alan Moore, and Rick Steiner - Morgan Kaufman/OMG Press, 2008. From now on, we'll refer to this book as FMS.  Ch. 14 is devoted to this topic - customizing SysML to your specific domain - and parts of Ch. 17 apply here too. Metamodeling concepts are covered in Section 4.2.2 and 14.1.1. Model Libraries are covered in Section 14.2, and Stereotypes (not named specifically in our topic but essential for comparison) in Section 14.3. Profiles are discussed throughout Ch. 14, and specifically in Section 14.5. Section 5.9 discusses Views and Viewpoints, as does the subsection “Defining Other Architecture Views” on p 471, and Fig. 16.59. 
• Systems Engineering with SysML/UML: Modeling, Analysis, Design by Tim Weilkiens - Morgan Kaufman/OMG Press, 2006. From now on, we'll refer to this book as TW. Parts of Ch. 5 apply to this topic. Note that our examination does not include methodology-specific aspects.
• Using OMG’s SysML to support simulation, Christiaan, Paredis, and Johnson (Georgia Tech.) Even though the title of this paper says Simulation, it's really about metamodeling, describing how to do it, and the benefits.
• Metamodel-based UML Notations for Domain-specific Languages. Brucker and Doser, 2007. Describes the metamodel-based extension method and compares it to profile-based extension, with an example of a domain-specific language. 
• Applied Metamodeling – A Foundation for Language Driven Development, Second Edition, Clark, Sammut, and Willans. By length this is a book, but it's downloadable free. The first two chapters cover metamodels and metamodeling. 
• What do models mean?, by Ed Seidewitz, If you're having trouble getting your mind around the concept of metamodel and metamodeling, take a look at this paper. 
• Simulation-Based Design Using SysML Part 1: A Parametrics Primer, by Peak et al. Discusses making its parametrics work available to SysML in terms of model libraries. This paper is part of a series; Part 2, here, also mentions model libraries. 
• All About IEEE Std 1471 by Rich Hilliard
  This is one of the best free references to IEEE Std 1471, the standard that defines View and Viewpoint. Focus on slides 23 to 31, lingering on Slide 28, "Understanding Views and Viewpoints", but be sure to leaf through the rest of the deck. The architectural advice throughout the document will serve you well as you design and work large projects. There's more about IEEE 1471 here. 

integrating SysML with other modeling languages such as UML, MARTE, UPDM, and Modelica: 

• Building Bridges Between Systems and Software with SysML and UML by Matthew Hause and Frances Thom. Using SysML and UML at  the intersection of systems and software engineering. 

• FMS, portions of Ch. 16: Start at the section headed "Define Software Architecture" on p. 460, and continue to the portion describing the transition to UML modeling on p. 470. Also see the last paragraph in Sec 17.2.9. 

• UML Profile for MARTE: Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time Embedded Systems (OMG Specification, downloadable free)   MARTE - Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time and Embedded Systems - extends UML into this domain, essential for work in so many areas where SE is applied  including  military, crisis response, vehicles of all sizes and types, hand-held devices, and much more. The authors of MARTE were aware of SysML and used many of the language's concepts and elements in this specification. The OCSMP examination will test a candidate's awareness of the MARTE specification - its scope and goals, and how it fits into and can benefit a suitable project - but will not test details of the specification itself, nor of real-time nor embedded design nor computing principles. Sections 1.1, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 of the MARTE specification are accessible and useful to the SysML practitioner:

• MARTE, THE UML standard extension for real-time and embedded systems  article by Sébastien Gérard, François Terrier, and Bran Selic. An alternative high-level exposition of the basics of MARTE. 

• Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM) (OMG Specification, downloadable free)   Figures 2.1 and 2.2 are potentially useful, but we've posted a more precise version of these figures and referenced it below. Sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and 7.7 are short but important. Also Ch 8 through Section 8.1. Don't memorize the list, though; just note that the specification only maps parts of UPDM to relevant SysML concepts, and that the main mapping groups in the list are valuetypes, blocks, and flow ports. It's important that the authors of the UPDM specification built their domain metamodel first, and based the specifications on it. Review this in conjunction with Sections 7.2 and 7.3, already called out. 

• Introduction to UPDM
  This brief writeup gives a more accurate picture of the relationships among UPDM, SysML, SOAML®, and UML. When you study, use these figures in place of Figures 2.1 and 2.2 from the UPDM specification.

• Model-Based System of Systems Engineering with UPDM  Matthew Hause. Introduces the UPDM specification, and reviews its main features and benefits. 

• SysML-Modelica Transformation Specification Submission (OMG Specification Draft, downloadable free) Integration of differential-equation (DE) solvers such as Modelica allows simulation of dynamic systems modeled in SysML, an important capability especially as systems grow larger and more complex. In this specification draft, Sections 1, 2, and 8 relate the language and transformation approach, and the annexes provide examples as well as descriptions of the correspondences established between SysML and Modelica model elements. The OCSMP examination will not test knowledge of or ability to solve DEs, nor of  Modelica itself, beyond what is necessary to cover its interworking with SysML so, as you study, concentrate on the transformation and the use of Modelica in SysML. However, if you'd like to extend your knowledge of  Modelica beyond the requirements of the OCSMP exam, see the website of the Modelica Association here.  NOTE: A series of votes by the members of OMG, to occur around the end of summer 2010, will change this document from a draft to a full OMG specification. The document won't change between now and then so you can study it without worrying about stability. 

• Integrating Models and Simulations of Continuous Dynamics into SysML  
  Thomas Johnson, Christiaan Paredis, Roger Burkhart, Jan ' 2008. Works an example (similar to the first one in Annex A of the specification draft) as it describes the interworking of SysML and Modelica. 

integrating SysML modeling tools with other types of tools; Tool selection criteria: 

• FMS, Ch. 17: This chapter covers integration of SysML into a systems development environment - with tools for Configuration Management, Requirements Management, Software or Hardware development, Analysis, and other project components. This integration is key to realizing the ROI possible from MBSE. Sec. 17.4 specifically covers factors that influence selection of a SysML modeling tool. Sec 17.3 covers Data and Model Exchange Mechanisms, including most of the ones cited specifically in this Coverage Map. 

• Requirements Interchange Format Specification Submission (OMG Specification Draft, downloadable free)  Relevant standard undergoing final votes at OMG as OCSMP completes. Be aware of this standard, and its scope, goals, and benefits. The examination will not test beyond this awareness level. 

• TortoiseSVN User Manual by Küng, Onken, and Large. Sections 2.1 and 2.2 present the two most widely-used methods of version control in a very understandable way. 

Methodology-related concepts and practices: 

• Survey of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Methodologies, Rev. B.. Jeff A. Estefan. Chapters 1 and 2 especially, although a systems engineer doing advanced-level work should certainly be familiar with all of the methodologies described in the remainder of the paper, and keep up with the industry as others become available. 

• FMS Section 2.2 discusses the various aspects of quality. Sections 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 discuss quality of the model, while Section 2.4 discusses quality of the design. 

• Harmony Deskbook (downloadable free from this link), IBM, Section 2.2. There are many ways to divide up the steps of a project from requirements to final design. A simple methodology may call them analysis of requirements, analysis of alternatives, system design, verification, and validation of the final design; others may divide more finely. The Harmony Deskbook does this; read about the details in Section 2.2. For an alternative division, see the next reference. 

• SIMILAR from INCOSE:  The INCOSE fellows suggest dividing the SE process into seven tasks with the acronym SIMILAR. The basics are all presented on the single web page linked at the head of this paragraph; there's plenty in the rest of INCOSE's material to fill in the tasks.  

• OMG Object Constraint Language (OMG Specification Draft, downloadable free) OCL can be used to state formal constraints, or for consistency checks in your model. The OCSMP Advanced examination will cover OCL at the awareness level only, and the material in Ch 7 from the Introduction through Section 7.3 will prepare you. The advanced modeler or technical lead will want to know much more than this, of course. 

• Evaluating Quality in Model-Driven Engineering, Mohagheghi and Aagedal. Starting from the dependence of quality design on quality models, this paper discusses the many factors that affect model quality and how they interact. This paper is the output of a valuable multi-year project by SINTEF devoted to quality in model-driven engineering. Posted for educational use only by permission of the author. 

• Existing Model Metrics and Relations to Model Quality, Mohagheghi and Dehlen. Another good paper on model quality from the SINTEF project. For more in-depth material on model quality (beyond the level covered in this examination), read the authors' Review of the Literature, here. Both papers posted for educational use only by permission of the author. 

 

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