Abstract
Transitioning to Digital Engineering (DE) from traditional Systems Engineering (SE) programs utilizing document centric processes can be daunting, time intensive, with a difficult to quantify return on investment (ROI). Current technological progress and innovation is moving at an incredible speed, and traditional SE cannot keep pace. The solution requires modern approaches achieved through Digital Engineering (DE). DE uses modern tools to enable agile and responsive SE processes focusing delivery capability at the speed of relevance. This is achieved through formal processes and plans supported by maintenance of Authoritative Sources of Truth (ASOT) and Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) methodologies enabling a Digital Engineering Eco-System (DEE). A mature DEE will provide automated production of release artifacts, ensure effective configuration management of engineering and production artifacts. Organizations can utilize DE to build and maintain models of the complex Systems of Systems (SoS) being acquired and the acquisitions system. These models enable insight into the SoS and its acquisition at various levels of detail and reduce information sharing challenges by relying on the ASOT. A mature DEE will incorporate all key stakeholders in the acquisition of a system which requires considerations for information management including access permissions to the ASOTS, classification, releasability, and administration of these permissions. Effective DE offers increased communication, collaboration, and efficiency between stakeholders. DE utilizes MBSE models that can be displayed utilizing specific audience targeted views and reports to inform system stakeholders. This paper covers processes, prioritization and pain points for transitioning a legacy program using document centric processes into a modern DE program while ensuring effective ROI. The paper leverages the Defense DE and MBSE bodies of knowledge and frameworks to enable a SE team to transition a legacy defense program to a compliant DE program with minimal risk and friction.