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At least 37 records · Page 2

NASA’s Four-Layer Cake: Systematic Approach for Developing a Digital Transformation Tactical Plan for Organizations

With the current industry movement to “digitally transform” there is much fervor to do something, to change in some way, to do things differently and digitally; however, the last decade has shown that most organizations do not know where to start or abandon transformation efforts. And often the approaches taken fall in the realm of “low-hanging fruit” or “easy wins” which rarely result in the foundational change needed. NASA was no different in the early years of its digital transformation and this drove the development of what eventually became known as the “Four-Layer Cake”. The Four-Layer Cake provides the critical approach for determining the core areas for investment to gain the greatest return without having to boil the ocean or hope that the low-hanging fruit will provide the foundational elements for a domain’s transformation.

Digital engineering↗

Modeling NASA’s Procedural Requirement Processes – Implications for a Digital Future

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has an ongoing Digital Transformation effort and to leverage and showcase the power of Digital Transformation, an effort is underway to develop an integrated, datacentric, model representing NASA’s key process requirements. The task was divided into three phases: As Is modeling, Analysis, and To Be Planning. As part of this effort, a team has completed the first Phase I of the modeling task and is nearing completion of the second phase. This effort will capture the key elements as requirements, responsibilities, allocations, roles, products, and associated lifecycle elements. The scope of modeling included NASA’s NPR 7120.5 (Project and Program Management), NPR 7123.1 (Systems Engineering) and NPRs 8705.2 (Risk classification for Robotic Missions) and 8705.4 (Human-Rating Requirements for Space Missions).

NPR↗

Modeling NASA’s Procedural Requirement Processes - Implications for Digital Future

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has an ongoing Digital Transformation effort and to leverage and showcase the power of Digital Transformation, an effort is underway to develop an integrated, datacentric, model representing NASA’s key process requirements. The task was divided into three phases: As Is modeling, Analysis, and To Be Planning. As part of this effort, a team has completed the first Phase I of the modeling task and is nearing completion of the second phase. This effort will capture the key elements as requirements, responsibilities, allocations, roles, products, and associated lifecycle elements. The scope of modeling included NASA’s NPR 7120.5 (Project and Program Management), NPR 7123.1 (Systems Engineering) and NPRs 8705.2 (Risk classification for Robotic Missions) and 8705.4 (Human-Rating Requirements for Space Missions). This paper will summarize the approach, scope, parsing patterns applied, metamodel, and associated workflows for the As-Is modeling. It will also summarize the results and insights gleaned during that phase, including the review process. These insights have informed the analysis and will be discussed. The analysis modeling phase will also be summarized including how the stakeholders were engaged, how the common elements were handled and dispositioned, and will also describe some of the plans for the future of NASA NPDs and NPRs.

Systems Engineering↗

Digital Engineering Strategy Overview

Systems are changing and engineering practices must mind the balance between evolutionary and revolutionary change as we move towards increasingly agile processes, enabled by interconnected tools, to best provide for partnered collaboration. This is the first of many evolutions of the Goddard Digital Engineering strategy, in preparation for the NASA 2040 vision.

Digital Engineering↗

Digital Engineering at Goddard: Exploring the Digital Thread

Systems are changing and engineering practices must mind the balance between evolutionary and revolutionary change as we move towards increasingly agile processes, enabled by interconnected tools, to best provide for partnered collaboration. The Digital Thread is a foundational capability for a functional Digital Engineering Ecosystem, which is Phase 1 of Goddard's Digital Engineering strategy in an effort to achieve Goddard 2040 vision.

Digital Engineering↗

INL Digital Engineering: Model-Based Design, Digital Threads, Digital Twins, Artificial Intelligence, and Extended Reality for Complex Energy Systems

This presentation showcases digital transformation efforts carried by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Digital Innovation Center of Excellence (DICE). Digital Engineering technologies are described, including Model-Based Systems Engineering, Digital Thread, Digital Twins, Artificial Intelligence, and Extended Reality. Selected projects across the laboratory that have used or are currently using a digital engineering design approach are presented.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Generative Design and Digital Manufacturing: Using AI and Robots to Build Lightweight Instruments

Digital Engineering technologies are transforming long-stagnant development processes by applying the tremendous advancements in Information Technology (IT) to classical engineering tasks such as design, analysis, and fabrication of space-flight instrument structures. Generative Design leverages developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud computing to enable a paradigm shift in the design process, allowing the engineer to focus on defining the requirements and objectives of the design while AI generates optimized designs which comply with the input requirements. Digital Manufacturing allows these complex lightweight designs to be efficiently manufactured by directly fabricating from the resulting 3D models. The development of these two Digital Engineering technologies realizes significant mass savings while simultaneously reducing structure development time from months to days. This paper describes the development of the Evolved Structures process applying these technologies to spaceflight optical instrument structures including an example demonstrating greater than 10x reduction in development time/cost and greater than 3x improvement in structural performance.

Ryan McClelland↗

Building Initial Dynamic System Models for Digital Twins of the Cryogenic Moderator System at the ORNL Spallation Neutron Source

This work describes the initial development of dynamic system models of the cryogenic moderator system (CMS) of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at ORNL as a part of the ORNL LDRD funded project Building TRANSFORM to Accelerate Digital Twin Applications for Nuclear Systems, LOIS 10563. The goal of the work is to start the dynamic system modeling effort with the end goal of using them for real-time applications as digital twins. The CMS is a cryogenic liquid hydrogen flow loop that provides moderation of the neutrons that are generated by the SNS. For optimal neutron production, the CMS needs to maintain a steady and controlled density of cryogenic hydrogen in the moderator section thus requiring precise temperature and pressure control. Due to the varied time scales and system characteristics, control of the system is complex, and diagnostics are also difficult. Difficulty in accessing the flow loop during operations, limited instrumentation and unknown design details of the equipment combine to make the case for having sophisticated digital twin models of the system. Operationally the CMS also provides a strong use case for digital twins due to the constant need of optimization and for troubleshooting/diagnostics. The large amount of data collected which are freely available for using in building the model and verifying and validating the model also makes it a great candidate for a proof-of-concept for digital twins. The project extends ORNL's capacity of development and implementation of the open-source dynamic system modeling tool TRANSFORM for engineering design and digital twin/real-time applications. Specific system configuration data for the CMS have been gathered and an initial dynamic model was created in the TRANSFORM library using Dymola as the solution platform. Models of increasing complexity are created to demonstrate the need for a multi-layered approach in digital twin modeling depending on the scale and phenomena being focused on. The dynamic modeling is shown to bring the dynamic operational aspects to the design process for systems as well as serve as a digital twin to the hardware and allow for models to be tuned and compared against real time operational data. These aims should help to push forward strategic goals of application of digital twins and increase the impact of ORNL systems modeling capabilities with TRANSFORM/Modelica for various advanced energy systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Discovering Digital Engineering Needs Through Human-Centered Approaches

Digital engineering has the power to transform organizations in profound ways, but digitizing legacy workflows and infusing new technologies into existing practices may not yield the intended results or address the underlying problems or bottlenecks. This paper describes the human-centered approaches used to understand stakeholder challenges and identify digital engineering needs during the design-build-test portion of the systems development lifecycle. Through a series of interactive stakeholder workshops and need-finding activities, key stakeholder needs were identified to help guide the integration of digital engineering technologies. The overarching need was for downstream system development steps to be considered further upstream in the project lifecycle in a manner that allows for proactive and interactive co-constructive idea exploration, problem resolution, and requirements considerations in a collective engagement with engineers and technicians from multiple disciplines to increase efficiency and reduce risks while offering opportunities to improve the final engineered system. Supporting this need was a wide-ranging desire from stakeholders for digital and non-digital support structures for efficient rapid iteration during system development. This work yielded several improvements for system development processes and for digital engineering infusion.

Human-centered Design↗

Discovering Digital Engineering Needs Through Human-Centered Approaches

Digital engineering has the power to transform organizations in profound ways, but digitizing legacy workflows and infusing new technologies into existing practices may not yield the intended results or address the underlying problems or bottlenecks. This paper describes the human-centered approaches used to understand stakeholder challenges and identify digital engineering needs during the design-build-test portion of the systems development lifecycle. Through a series of interactive stakeholder workshops and need-finding activities, key stakeholder needs were identified to help guide the integration of digital engineering technologies. The overarching need was for downstream system development steps to be considered further upstream in the project lifecycle in a manner that allows for proactive and interactive co-constructive idea exploration, problem resolution, and requirements considerations in a collective engagement with engineers and technicians from multiple disciplines to increase efficiency and reduce risks while offering opportunities to improve the final engineered system. Supporting this need was a wide-ranging desire from stakeholders for digital and non-digital support structures for efficient rapid iteration during system development. This work yielded several improvements for system development processes and for digital engineering infusion.

Design Science↗

How the INCOSE Model-Based Capability Matrix Has Steered Model-Based Systems Engineering Transformation at NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is embarking on new, complex, and diverse missions to accomplish its scientific and exploration objectives, and it views digital transformation as a key enabler for those missions. The NASA Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Lead-ership Team (MLT) is leading the charge in the digital transformation of the systems engineering domain at NASA, and it is using the INCOSE Model-Based Capability Matrix (MBCM) as a roadmap. This paper discusses the modifications and tailoring of the INCOSE MBCM (Hale & Hoheb, 2020) for use at NASA, the process the team has taken on multiple rounds of assessment, findings to date, and work products that have been generated as a result of the assessment. The paper will also discuss findings and potential changes that should be made to the original product.

MBSE↗

Early Fault Detection in Nuclear Systems: A Digital Engineering Approach

Nuclear energy systems present unique challenges in terms of ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency during their design and operation. Early fault detection is critical for mitigating risks and fostering system resilience. However, current methods often fall short at identifying faults during early stages, potentially leading to costly delays and safety risks. The present work proposes a comprehensive digital engineering approach that leverages digital twins, digital threads, model-based systems engineering, artificial intelligence, and immersive extended reality to support early fault detection in nuclear systems. Through a series of case studies, we highlight specific gaps in the fault detection mechanisms of traditional nuclear design and operation processes, then demonstrate a suite of solutions we are working to implement to address these shortcomings in similar projects. Our findings suggest that a digital engineering approach to design and operation can significantly improve fault detection, ultimately leading to reductions in risk.

42 - ENGINEERING↗

Tri-Agency Reliability Engineering Post: Mission Disposal and Extension Assessment Guidance Addendum

The intent of this addendum is to support the guidance document, Tri-Agency Reliability Engineering Guidance: Post Mission Disposal and Extension Assessment (https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20210024973). It is intended to further assist spacefaring entities in assessing their designs and operational plans for extending missions and Post Mission Disposal (PMD) by providing an hypothetical mission example.

Digital transformation↗

Smart manufacturing maturity models and their applicability: a review

The purpose of this paper is to review existing smart manufacturing (SM) maturity models' dimensions and maturity levels to assess their applicability and drawbacks. There are many maturity models available but many of them have not been validated or do not provide a useful guide or tool for applications. This gap creates the need for a review of the existing maturity model's applicability. Nineteen peer-reviewed maturity models related to “Digital Transformation,” “Industry 4.0” or “Smart Manufacturing” were selected based on a systematic literature review and five consulting firm models were selected based on the author's industry knowledge. The chosen models were analyzed to determine 10 categories of dimensions. Then they are assessed on a 1–5 scale for how applicable they are in the 10 categories of dimensions. The five “consulting firm” models have a first-mover advantage, are more widely used in industry and are more applicable, but some require payment, and they lack published details and validation. The 19 “peer reviewed” models are not as widely used, lack awareness in the industry and are not as easy to apply because of no web tool for self-assessment, but they are improving. The categories defined to characterize the models and facilitate comparisons for users include “Information Technology (IT) and Cyber-Physical System (CPS) and Data,” “Strategy and Organization,” “Supply Chain and Logistics,” “Products and Services,” “Culture and Employees,” “Technology and Capabilities,” “Customer and Market,” “Cybersecurity and Risk,” “Leadership and Management” and “Governance and Compliance.” The analyzed maturity models were particularly weak in the areas of cybersecurity, leadership and governance. Researchers and practitioners can use this review with consideration of their specific needs to determine if a maturity model is applicable or if a new model needs to be developed. The review can also aid in the development of maturity models through the discussion of each of the dimension categories. Finally, compared to existing reviews of SM maturity models, this research determines comprehensive dimension categories and focuses on applicability and drawbacks.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA R&M Efficiency through Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) Digital Assets

At the intersection of mission, technology, and place is NASA’s need to modernize for a digital-forward future. Digitalization, the process of moving toward digital business, is occurring everywhere and remains an ongoing process across the federal government.”[1] Whereas, Digital Transformation is “employing digitization/digital technologies (e.g., Artificial Intelligence (AI), mobile, cloud, data) to change a process, product, or capability so dramatically (e.g., real-time, intelligent, personalized, anywhere, anytime) that it is unrecognizable compared to its traditional form.” [2] In order to facilitate a digital transformation it is essential for NASA to understand and identify where data exists today and which data are value-needed in the future, understand where there are unfulfilled data needs that limit the advancement of NASA work, and ensure NASA efficiency through Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) digital assets in the future. Therefore, NASA’s Reliability & Maintainability (R&M) Enterprise Data Sharing team is working to leverage both Digitization and Digital Transformation to achieve their vision of developing an R&M data discovery framework that enables our community, our partners, and our stakeholders with the ability to efficiently, robustly, and seamlessly access information that enables real-time knowledge and model-based, analytics driven, decision-making impacting R&M. As a result the R&M Enterprise Data Sharing team has conducted a survey of its Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RMA) community members to identify data existence (created or used) and where there are corresponding barriers to data acquisition and/or R&M or other issues as shown within this presentation.

Digital Transformation↗

Trilateral Task Force – Reliability Analysis Supporting Mission Extension/Post Mission Disposal

At the intersection of mission, technology, and place is NASA’s need to modernize for a digital-forward future. Digitalization, the process of moving toward digital business, is occurring everywhere and remains an ongoing process across the federal government.”[1] Whereas, Digital Transformation is “employing digitization/digital technologies (e.g., Artificial Intelligence (AI), mobile, cloud, data) to change a process, product, or capability so dramatically (e.g., real-time, intelligent, personalized, anywhere, anytime) that it is unrecognizable compared to its traditional form.” [2] In order to facilitate a digital transformation it is essential for NASA to understand and identify where data exists today and which data are value-needed in the future, understand where there are unfulfilled data needs that limit the advancement of NASA work, and ensure NASA efficiency through Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) digital assets in the future. Therefore, NASA’s Reliability & Maintainability (R&M) Enterprise Data Sharing team is working to leverage both Digitization and Digital Transformation to achieve their vision of developing an R&M data discovery framework that enables our community, our partners, and our stakeholders with the ability to efficiently, robustly, and seamlessly access information that enables real-time knowledge and model-based, analytics driven, decision-making impacting R&M. As a result the R&M Enterprise Data Sharing team has conducted a survey of its Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RMA) community members to identify data existence (created or used) and where there are corresponding barriers to data acquisition and/or R&M or other issues as shown within this presentation.

Digital Transformation, Reliability Engineering↗

Addressing Human and Organizational Factors in Nuclear Industry Modernization: An Operationally Focused Approach to Process and Methodology

Utility owners and operators of commercial nuclear power plants in the United States (U.S.) are and will be modernizing their nuclear power plants by performing a digital transformation involving design of an integrated set of systems that together enable a technology centric operating plant. The Plant Modernization Pathway of the U.S. Department of Energy Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program has a strategic action plan that lays the groundwork for a digital transformation of the nuclear industry. The model for this transformation is an advanced concept of operations, with an end point vision, “To achieve the maximum aggregate benefit enabled by this digital transformation.” To achieve this, the digital infrastructure for a nuclear plant must be designed as an integrated set of systems that together enable a technology centric operating model. The digital transformation process obviously needs to involve technology considerations and systems engineering, but it also needs to include human and organizational expertise. Thus, human and organizational factors, including sociotechnical systems methods and techniques (e.g., Cognitive Systems Engineering, Systems Theoretic Accident Modeling and Processes, human systems integration, and Macroergonomics) need to be considered for digital transformation projects in order to effectively integrate human and organizational expertise efforts into the new work system that results from nuclear power plant digital modernization. That is, the work system is the basic unit of sociotechnical systems analysis and contains three components: personnel, technical, and organization and management. These components should be jointly optimized with respect to the interdependence of systems performance criteria of effectiveness, efficiency and safety. Joint optimization can be achieved through the application of three human and organization functions: knowledge representation, knowledge elicitation, and cross-functional integration. This report provides a strategic framework for effective integration of human and organizational expertise within nuclear power plant digital modernization efforts.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗