Applying system thinking to model-based software engineering

A systematic and consistent framework for software modeling is introduced, being the core of a Software-Intensive-Systems-Engineering (SWISE) academic course, which has been taught by the author in over 50 classes over 12 years. The approach is based upon a general perception and definition of a “system” which can be applied to any level of system decomposition, throughout subsystems, components, units etc. Five principle levels-of-interest are introduced and appropriate UML models are suggested at each level, preserving model consistency within and between levels. Each modeled entity along the process possesses a functional, a structural and a behavioral model. The use of models is demonstrated not only at the analysis and design stages of development but also at the integration and testing stages. The entire agenda of the SWISE course is presented, detailing the instructional tools and case-studies used during the course.