Model-Based System Architecture, 2nd Edition

15Tools for the Architect

As a result of choosing provocative wording, the chapter title may create the expectation that this chapter will be about modeling tools, product data management tools, etc. This will not be the case. The mentioned software tools are just comfort factors that replace pencil and paper with their digital counterparts – like a desktop environment comprising a word processor and access to archive databases for a journalist. Excellence in being a system architect depends as little on the ability of using systems engineering software tools as the excellence in being a journalist depends on skills in operating a word processor software. This is why this chapter is not about the software tools like a modeling software – it is about the tools that really matter for being a successful architect. These are the correct mental approach, leadership, time management, and other helpers to accomplish what matters for the realization of successful systems. Together with the skills discussed in Section 13.2.5 these tools are essential for the system architect's success.

We ask the reader who expected an evaluation of software tools in this section to forgive us. Too often have we seen companies take shortcuts that ended up in purchasing software products instead of first defining what really matters. Especially in commercial businesses, it seems to fall very naturally to first define a high-level problem (example: system development is no longer under control) to then ...