Completion of SysML state machines from Given–When–Then requirements

MDE enables the centrality of the models in semi-automated development processes. However, its level of usage in industrial settings is still not adequate for the benefits MDE can introduce. This paper proposes a semi-automatic approach for the completion of high-level models in the lifecycle of critical systems, which exhibit an event-driven behaviour. The proposal suggests a specification guideline that starts from a partial SysML model of a system and on a set of requirements, expressed in the well-known Given–When–Then paradigm. On the basis of such requirements, the approach enables the semi-automatic generation of new SysML state machines model elements. Accordingly, the approach focuses on the completion of the state machines by adding proper transitions (with triggers, guards and effects) among pre-existing states. Also, traceability modelling elements are added to the model. Two case studies demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.