Conceptual Modeling for Architectural Reasoning in the Energy Domain

Abstract

This thesis explores systems architecting in the concept stage in the energy domain. Specifically, the thesis explores how conceptual modeling can be applied in this context to support architectural reasoning. The main focus is on supporting the systems architecting process in the industrial setting when evolving mature systems designs. In the last decade, the energy industry has been through significant changes, demanding drastic cost reductions and increasing the need for collaboration across the actors in the industry. The changes have led to increasing complexity, both in terms of the technical system and regarding business and organization. Coping with the increasing complexity requires the engineers to improve their systems awareness and balance conflicting needs in the early phase of system development. Within other industrial domains, the literature proposes using conceptual modeling in the early phase of system development to support concept exploration and knowledge sharing. Several case studies from the energy domain have shown the potential of applying conceptual modeling to support the challenges the energy industry is facing. Still, there is low adoption of such approaches in the industry. The approaches must be adapted to the specific needs of the energy industry to increase the industry's adaption. The thesis presents the results from four-year longitudinal research in a system supplier company in the energy domain. The research presented in the thesis is conducted under an Industrial Ph.D. scheme. The candidate has been employed in the company of research before and during the research. The thesis is article-based and consists of five appended articles. Through several studies in the company of research, we have explored how conceptual models can support architectural reasoning in the concept stage. The appended articles present the findings from the studies in the company of research. Article 1 and Article 2 present results from the exploration of the current practice in the early phase of system development in the company of research. The studies revealed a need for improving the engineer's awareness of the context of the system. Further, the studies identified an opportunity to use conceptual modeling to improve systems awareness. Article 3 presents an in-depth study from the company of research to understand the challenges and needs for improving systems awareness. The article also presents four aspects to improve practitioners' likelihood of adopting a new approach. Article 4 presents a case study applying conceptual models to support reasoning in the early-phase concept evaluation. Article 5 synthesizes the insights from this case study in Article 4 and the insights gained throughout the research and proposes an approach for using conceptual modeling to support system-level decision-making. Finally, Article 5 evaluates the approach in an industrial setting and evaluates how it supports the challenges and needs identified in Article 3. This thesis contributes to the Systems Engineering Body of knowledge by providing insight into the challenges in current systems engineering practice in the energy domain and the industry needs in the concept phase. Further, the thesis contributes with insight into the application of conceptual modeling in an industrial setting. Finally, the research contributes with a practical approach, guiding practitioners in applying conceptual models in their daily work. Key words: Systems Engineering, Systems Architecting, architectural reasoning, conceptual modeling, systems awareness, system-level decision-making, energy domain