Integrating R&M Throughout UAF, Case Study: NASA Infrastructure

This paper proposes an approach to incorporate Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) tasks into the digital model of a complex system of systems, leveraging model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and the unified architecture framework (UAF). The benefits and significance of this integration are analyzed, and a real-world implementation as part of an ongoing effort with NASA is presented. The effective handling of R&M tasks, such as risk analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), or Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), is critical to large organizations that are faced with significant backlogs of deferred maintenance and large annual maintenance budgets. A significant accomplishment highlighted in this article is the integration and unified modeling of questions within the FMEA process. The approach presented herein aims to model the infrastructure of a large organization to help address the backlog of deferred maintenance and minimize the risk that unreliable and/or unavailable infrastructure may have on the ability of such organizations to successfully carry their missions. The integration of risk and reliability information is essential to the development of a comprehensive digital representation of a system. Inevitably, integrating R&M activities into the digital engineering ecosystem (DEE) has become a recognized need. This is illustrated by recent efforts from the Object Management Group (OMG) to develop a beta version of a new modeling language called RAAML (Risk Analysis and Assessment Modeling Language). RAAML [1] helps assess the performance of various analysis techniques including FMEA, FTA, Systems Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA), Goal Structuring Notation (GSN), and ISO 26262 Road Vehicles Functional Safety using MBSE. While MBSE serves as a valuable foundation for the DEE, it alone does not offer a complete solution for modeling complex enterprise architectures. One of the key challenges is the absence of a standardized modeling approach, which can hinder effective collaboration and information sharing across organizations. To address this gap, enterprise architecture frameworks have been developed to provide a unified modeling approach. Among these frameworks, the UAF stands out as a recent development that enables organizations to establish a cohesive and standardized architecture [2]. By adopting UAF, organizations can collaborate seamlessly, share information effectively, and achieve a unified architecture that spans various domains and stakeholders. UAF serves as a valuable tool in enhancing the modeling capabilities within the DEE and enables organizations to tackle the complexities of enterprise architecture more efficiently. Collaborating with NASA stakeholders, Global Technology Connection, Inc. (GTC) and the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL) at the Georgia Institute of Technology are creating a digital representation of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)'s enterprise, enabling data-driven decision-making to help minimize the impact that unavailable facilities/capabilities (due to repair, etc.) may have on mission success. This effort aligns with NASA's goal of modernizing digital systems for managing aging infrastructure [3]. In particular, the objective of this paper is to further emphasize and demonstrate, through a real-world implementation of MBSE/UAF to an infrastructure problem, the benefits that such model-based approaches can bring to the R&M community at large. This paper also recommends two practical initiatives to facilitate the integration of R&M activities into a DEE: • Skill Enhancement for Reliability and Safety Engineers in MBSE • Collaboration between MBSE and R&M Software Vendors to share knowledge and expertise