ALM and MBSE for Requirements Management

Application lifecycle management (ALM) is a framework that governs the complete lifecycle of a system or product, from initial conception and requirements through design, development, testing, deployment, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning. ALM provides an integrated, end-to-end approach to managing the tools, processes, and people involved in system development.

The V-model

One of the most recognized ALM frameworks is the V-model, a systems engineering model that emphasizes verification and validation. The V-model—also known as the engineering V-model—encompasses a broad range of variants, all of which use a V-shape to describe complex engineering projects.

The V-model provides a straightforward and practical approach to breaking up complex projects into discrete and actionable modules, producing those modules, and then integrating or assembling them to deliver a final product. The process spans two axes: vertical and horizontal.

On the vertical axis, the framework increases in granularity as we go from top to bottom. Systems of systems are decomposed into systems, subsystems, and components. For example, a space rocket program may be defined by a high-level program vision (system of systems), which is decomposed into a specific rocket project (system), and subsystems (propulsion, payload, and guidance systems). Each subsystem may be further decomposed into mechanical, electrical, and software engineering components that make up the subsystem.

The base of the V-model represents the implementation of the project, where specifications are transformed into physical and software-based deliverables.

Effective requirements management is the backbone of successful system delivery. ALM provides a structured environment to manage this complexity and ensures alignment across teams, domains, and lifecycle stages.

Key benefits of ALM for requirements management

End-to-end traceability

ALM establishes traceability between high-level requirements, design elements, test cases, and defects. This allows for complete impact analysis when changes occur.

Change and configuration management

Built-in versioning and change control ensure that all stakeholders are working with the correct and current versions of requirements and associated artifacts.

Collaboration across disciplines

ALM platforms break down silos between business analysts, systems engineers, developers, and testers by providing a single source of truth and shared workflows.

Regulatory compliance

Traceability metrics, audit trails, and automated reporting help organizations meet stringent industry regulatory requirements (e.g., DO-178C, ISO 26262, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EN50168).

Process governance

ALM enforces standardized development processes and ensures accountability through workflow automation, role-based access, and approval gates.

In essence, ALM transforms requirements management from a disconnected, document-driven process into a transparent, integrated part of the development ecosystem with comprehensive audit trails and enforced process controls.

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a formalized methodology that uses models, not documents as the primary means of capturing, analyzing, and communicating system requirements, design, behavior, and validation data throughout the lifecycle.

Unlike traditional systems engineering, which relies heavily on static documents, MBSE creates dynamic, interrelated system models that support early analysis, design consistency, and simulation-based verification.

MBSE commonly uses standardized languages, such as systems modeling language (SysML), UML, or domain-specific modeling languages to describe system structure, behavior, and requirements.

By transitioning to MBSE, organizations move from passive documentation to active system representation, enabling deeper insight into how requirements translate into system behavior and performance.

MBSE brings significant value to requirements management by enabling early validation, reducing ambiguity, and improving consistency across system elements.

Core benefits of MBSE for requirements management

Improved clarity and precision

Graphical models make requirements easier to interpret, helping identify gaps, conflicts, or misunderstandings early in the lifecycle.

Early validation and simulation

Behavior and performance models allow teams to simulate system response and validate that requirements are feasible before implementation begins.

Requirement decomposition and allocation

MBSE enables hierarchical modeling, where systems-level requirements are decomposed and allocated to subsystems, components, and software modules in a traceable manner.

Consistency and change management

Changes to one model element automatically propagate across related diagrams and artifacts, reducing the risk of inconsistencies or missed updates.

Enabling digital engineering

MBSE is foundational for digital threads and digital twins, supporting lifecycle traceability from concept to operations.

By shifting to a model-centric approach, MBSE enhances the quality of requirements and ensures they remain connected, testable, and relevant throughout the system’s lifecycle.

ALM and MBSE are often seen as distinct disciplines, but when used in tandem, they form a powerful, integrated framework for systems development. ALM provides the structure for managing the development process and its artifacts, while MBSE provides the technical depth to rigorously define, analyze, and validate systems behavior and architecture through models.

To read the entire 11-page white paper, click the Download PDF button on the top right of the page.