Towards an ontology for simulation systems engineering

Although modeling and simulation and systems engineering are distinct fields, the increasing complexity of the systems of interest lead us to two emerging disciplines, namely simulation systems engineering and simulation-based systems engineering. This paper is about simulation systems engineering which is simulation enhanced by systems engineering. On one hand, it can be perceived as a natural step in the evolution of the discipline of simulation, on the other hand, the concepts of simulation systems engineering, the tools and the methodologies, the form and the content of work products, the types of data stores and the information flows currently show a great variety. Notwithstanding, simulation systems engineering requires a shared conceptualization for coordination, cooperation and integration. There have been previous efforts that contributed to the creation of a common vocabulary. Extending them, this paper proposes to develop an ontology for simulation systems engineering, which will specify not only a common but also an explicit vocabulary. The simulation systems engineering process captured in an ontology is envisioned to help creating a common understanding about the concepts of simulation systems engineering and streamlining information exchange within and among simulation systems engineering activities.