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Book Review: A Practical Guide to SysML [2014 Friedenthal]

Book Review:
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Technical Reading Level:
A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language
S. Friedenthal, et al.
Basic-Intermediate
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PROS
  • Comprehensive coverage of OMG SysML with relatively high technical accuracy;
  • Solid introduction to SysML behavioral modeling;
  • Provides a good overview of the Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach.
CONS
  • Not as practical as it claims: SysML examples tend to be simplistic or academic;
  • Overhypes OMG SysML (OCSMP) certification while underdelivering on pragmatic SysML analysis and design patterns that are essential for successful application to real-world Systems Engineering (SE) projects;
  • Fails to address serious SE application issues including; system analysis & design patterns, architecture scalability, architecture integrity, and Modeling & Simulation (ModSim);
  • Suffers from multiple-authors/group-writing syndrome: writing and example styles are uneven and inconsistent;
  • Relatively weak on SysML structural modeling;
  • Includes excessive method (OOSEM) propaganda that detracts, rather than adds, to the main subject.
BOTTOM LINE
Although 'A Practical Guide to SysML' claims to be a practical guide for applying the Systems Modeling Language, it often reads more like an abridged specification than a pragmatic "how to" SysML modeling guide. Instead of including pragmatic SysML analysis and design patterns that are essential for successful application to real-world Systems Engineering (SE) projects, it tends to overhype the value of OMG SysML (OCSMP) certification.

While mediocre as an introductory SysML textbook, this SysML guide is currently the best OMG SysML book to date in what remains a limited field. (There are 100+ UML books listed on Amazon, but only a handful of books that feature SysML.) If you choose to read this SysML book, make sure you back it up with one or more practical UML 2 modeling books, since sound UML modeling principles and best practices will also work with the SysML dialect. (SysML is a profile of the UML.)

Book Review: A Practical Guide to SysML

  • Title: A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language
  • Author: S. Friedenthal, et al.
  • Book Edition: 3rd Edition
  • Book Format: Paperback
  • Date Published: 2014-11-07
  • Language: English
  • ISBN: 978-0128002025
  • Number of Pages: 630
  • Publisher: Morgan Kaufman
  • Reviewer: Editor, SysMLforum.com
  • Date: 05/15/2015
  • Review Summary

Although 'A Practical Guide to SysML' claims to be a practical guide for applying the Systems Modeling Language, it often reads more like an abridged specification than a pragmatic 'how to' SysML modeling guide. Instead of including pragmatic SysML analysis and design patterns that are essential for successful application to real-world Systems Engineering (SE) projects, it tends to overhype the value of OMG SysML (OCSMP) certification.

While mediocre as an introductory SysML textbook, this SysML guide is currently the best OMG SysML book to date in what remains a limited field. (There are 100+ UML books listed on Amazon, but only a handful of books that feature SysML.) If you choose to read this SysML book, make sure you back it up with one or more practical UML 2 modeling books, since sound UML modeling principles and best practices will also work with the SysML dialect. (SysML is a profile of the UML.)

  • Editor Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
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