Members of the ASDL Research Faculty participated in the NAFEMS ASSESS Congress 2023, held in Atlanta 27-28 March. This event brought together key leadership participants, including experts, industry analysts, software providers, researchers, simulation users, and others in the community of model-based analysis, simulation, and systems engineering. It provided thought leaders the opportunity to work as one to map out the future of engineering simulation and lead the way toward it.

ASDL Director Prof. Dimitri Mavris and Research Engineers Dr. Olivia Fischer and Dr. Michael Balchanos represented ASDL at this event. During the event, Dr. Fischer presented on “Implementation of UMC4ES Efforts at ASDL” and discussed how the Unified Model Characteristics for Engineering Simulation can be leveraged to support the development of enterprise knowledge modeling capabilities. Dr. Fischer also facilitated a working session on Digital Twins. Dr. Balchanos supported as the facilitator for a working session on the newly introduced topic of Autonomy.

The annual congress helps to advance the NAFEMS ASSESS Initiative, which aims to lead every aspect of engineering simulation toward a more valuable and accessible future in the medium to long term, leveraging the expertise and knowledge of top-level figures in industry, government, and academia.

ASDL and ASSESS (Analysis, Simulation, and Systems Engineering Software Strategies) entered into a strategic collaboration in 2019. “ASDL is always looking for collaborators to help advance the state of the art in systems thinking, design of complex systems, and engineering simulation,” said Mavris. “In the ASSESS, we found a great partner and we have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration.”

ASSESS activities started in 2014, bringing together key players to guide and influence the software development and implementation strategies related to model-based analysis, simulation, and systems engineering, with the primary objective of expanding the use and business benefit of engineering simulation.

In June 2022, ASSESS became part of NAFEMS, the International Association for the Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation Community. NAFEMS was established in 1983 to support the engineering simulation profession. It serves as the focal point for the dissemination and exchange of information and knowledge relating to engineering simulation.

ASDL is a longtime NAFEMS member, with continuous presence and support to NAFEMS events and initiatives. Dr. Olivia Fischer is a member of the NAFEMS’ Engineering Data Science Working Group, and Dr. Michael Balchanos is a member of the NAFEMS Planning Sub-committee.