This software queries a model of system in the MagicDraw program and uses that information to create an Excel spreadsheet that represents a basic FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis). It automates the generation of an FMEA; the user only has to open MagicDraw, then run this plugin to produce an Excel spreadsheet.
This Python program is a plug-in for the MagicDraw API. It depends on other Python scripts developed as part of the SMAP MBSE Pilot effort (in the trunk/plug-in/ directory in the Pilot’s subversion repository). This program can be run directly from within MagicDraw. It traces elements and relationships within the opened MagicDraw project, and uses that information to print out an FMEA Excel spreadsheet. The elements/relations in the model must follow a specific template, which has been extensively documented.
This work was done by Kenneth M. Donahue, Andrew K. Kennedy, and John C. Day of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Dan Broderick at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Automated Generation of Failure Modes and Effects Document from a Simple SysML Model
(reference NPO-48854) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that discusses the automated generation of Failure Modes and Effects Documents (FMEA) from simple SysML (Systems Modeling Language) models. It emphasizes the importance of structured modeling in aerospace systems to enhance reliability and safety.
The core of the document revolves around the concept of "system layers," which organizes system components hierarchically based on "design authority." This hierarchy allows subsystems to manage their own functionalities while the higher-level system oversees the interactions between these subsystems. The document outlines how control systems are layered, with each layer's control system acting as the system under control for the next layer. This layered approach aids system architects in understanding complex interactions and responsibilities within the system.
The FMEA model is designed to capture potential failure modes and their effects on the system. However, the document acknowledges the challenges in fully encapsulating all necessary information within the model, as much of the FMEA process relies on engineering intuition and experience. The automated generation of FMEA documents from the model serves as a starting point, allowing engineers to refine and enhance the model iteratively by adding details and generating updated FMEAs.
The document also discusses the structure of the system layers, which includes multiple "rings" representing different aspects of the system, such as Functional, Physical, and Control rings. The relationships between these rings are explored, with the document suggesting that the hierarchy is flexible and can be adapted based on the specific needs of the system design.
In the conclusion, the authors reflect on lessons learned, emphasizing the need for clear definitions of "function" and "goal" within the context of state analysis. They also highlight the importance of determining the proper relationship between the Physical and Functional rings in the hierarchy.
Overall, the document serves as a guide for engineers and system designers, providing insights into the development of a structured approach to FMEA generation and the representation of system architecture, while also recognizing the inherent complexities and nuances involved in modeling and analyzing aerospace systems.
