Model Curation: Requisite Leadership and Practice in Digital Engineering Enterprises

Abstract Under the premise that model-centric engineering enterprises of the future will necessitate specialized competencies and leadership, ongoing research is investigating both model curation as a practice and model curator as a new leadership role. Specific needs and approaches for model curation have been generated through research investigation using primary and secondary sources. Four notional stages are used to frame the digital engineering paradigm shift, describing the characteristics of the enterprise and the respective leadership. This investigation suggests seven alternative forms for implementing model curation leadership roles and responsibilities, based on unique needs and organizational characteristics. Related research on human-model interaction, model-centric decision making, and model trust and integrity provide evidence of the importance of model curation for the envisioned future of digital engineering. Interim research findings have been shared with research stakeholders as a preliminary validation of needs, as well as capturing emerging practices related to strategic management of models.