SysML FAQ: What is an Allocation Table and how is it used?

What is a SysML Allocation Table?

Definitions

Allocation: An Allocation Dependency arrow (dashed-line with open-arrow notation and keyword = «allocate») associates or maps model elements of different types, or in different hierarchies. Allocate Dependency patterns are generally useful for improving model architecture integrity (a.k.a., well-formedness) and consistency. SysML predefines the following Allocation Dependencies:

• allocations for Requirement dependencies
• allocations for Activities to Partitions (swimlanes)

Users are encourage to define their own Allocation Dependencies as needed. (See Best Practice Patterns below for examples of user-defined Allocations.)

Allocation Table: An Allocation Table is a tabular (matrix) notation for Allocation relationships, but the SysML standard does not prescribe a particular format for these so they tend to be vendor specific.

Purpose

The purpose of an Allocation Table is to define relationship matrices within and across diagram types to improve model architectural integrity (well-formedness) and consistency.