Towards a solution for synchronizing disparate models of ultra-large-scale systems.

ABSTRACTTraditional model-driven engineering (MDE) techniques rely on a paradigm where systems are developed using tightly coupled, monolithic modeling tools. Such monolithic modeling tools address many concerns, but operate largely in isolation of one another. As system size and complexity grow to become ultra-large-scale (ULS) systems, it is becoming clear that no single monolithic modeling tool can capture all the concerns of an ULS system. It is therefore essential that isolated modeling tools collaborate with each other when realizing ULS systems. This position paper presents our approach to facilitate collaboration between disparate MDE tools and their models. Our approach is based on model attributes, which are key/shared assumptions/concerns about an ULS system, extracted from a source model and used to synchronize disparate models. Our approach is suitable for ULS systems because the independent relation created between the isolated models and the model attributes enables independent trade-off analysis between models, decentralized development of models, and integration with inconsistent and rapidly changing models that are ideal for a particular domain or feature of a ULS system.