SysPEM: a SysML and SPEM based process modelling language for systems engineering

The evolution of industry through a competitive environment resulted in a need for optimising the manufacturing processes. Many studies focalised on this topic, especially in the case of software engineering processes, which led to the definition of a standard for development processes (SPEM) by the OMG (Object Management Group) and a race to implement it through different languages and meta-models. Even if there is a huge similarity between software engineering and systems engineering, the standard and its different implementations are still insufficient to fulfil the requirements expressed through systems engineering standards such as EIA 632. In this paper a meta-model keeps the fruitful approach of the Software Process Engineering Meta-model (SPEM) combined with some useful concepts from the System Modelling Language (SysML). This model was validated through some predefined criteria, the specification of the EIA 632 standard and a sample process for systems engineering.