Multidisciplinary Software and Systems Engineering SysML report coursework 2025-26

SysML Coursework: Intelligent Hair Dryer

Introduction

Your coursework assignment involves developing a SysML description for an intelligent hair dryer/styler. You will submit three SysML diagrams: a Requirements Diagram, a Block Definition Diagram (or Internal Block Diagram), and an Activity Diagram. These diagrams should adhere to SysML notational standards, ensure representational consistency, and demonstrate clear traceability between key elements across the diagrams. This assignment meets the learning outcome to demonstrate competences in design abstraction employing standardised viewpoints.

Figure 1 Intelligent Hair Dryer image generated by Google Gemini based on patent abstract

Link to patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US12178303B2

This active patent presents a system and method for an intelligent, cloud-connected hairdryer which can customise settings to the user’s hair condition. It features several diagrams that illustrate system functionality and structure as well as textual descriptions, albeit not employing SysML notation.

Submission Details:

Upload to Canvas a 5-page report in PDF format:

1)   Title page: Include your name, username, and student ID and Generative AI declaration.

2)    Requirements: A SysML Requirements diagram – landscape format.

3)   Structure: A SysML Block Definition Diagram – landscape format.

4)    Behaviour: A SysML Activity Diagram – landscape format.

5)    References.

6)   Appendix: Generative AI prompts and responses used to complete the assignment (if any).

Ensure that all SysML diagrams are readable. They will be assessed on a computer screen, so please zoom into your final pdf and check. You can draw by hand or digitally. Each diagram should be no more than one page in landscape format. It should have approximately 20 nodes plus the relationships between them. Note that 20 is not an absolute minimum or maximum.

Please check canvas for the deadline for this assignment. Please upload your PDF to the canvas assignment page. Please check the assignment page for updates to submission dates.

Marking Criteria:

This coursework is 30% of the module – 3 credits – which corresponds to 30 hours of study. It will be marked against the following criteria (with weightings):

•    English proficiency (10%)

•    Notational correctness / adherence to SysML standards (30%)

•    Design details for each diagram (30%)

•    Representational consistency across diagram (30%)

Descriptions for the criteria are in the marking rubric on the canvas assignment. Use of generative AI will be considered when arriving at marks for all criteria.

Benchmark statement of expectation:

The following outlines an example of what an excellent and a failing submission could include.  These are indicative and the final assessment will take account all aspects.  Thus, you should only use this  as an indication of what an excellent and a poor submission would include:

An excellent submission (will attract first or upper second class marks):

The work presented adheres to a commendable standard of English, showcasing accurate spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, sentence construction, and textual coherence. The SysML model is ofa calibre suitable for patent application, with supporting references provided in the introduction. The SysML diagrams, skilfully crafted using software, exhibit a professional appearance, accurate notation, and maintain a consistent level of detail throughout. The Requirements Diagram comprehensively captures both functional and non-functional requirements, encompassing all vital elements and providing thorough descriptions for each relationship. The SysML Block Definition Diagram effectively portrays the system's structure, demonstrating appropriate associations between blocks, as well as between blocks and external actors/systems/organizations. Key signal flows are also included. The SysML Activity diagram boasts a well-defined activity frame, complete with explicit input and output parameters. Energy, matter, data, and control flows within the activity frame are presented clearly, coherently, and distinctly. Descriptive notes enhance the clarity of all diagrams, facilitating comprehension and enabling easy identification of links between diagrams through consistent element naming.

A poor submission (will invite fail)

The work submitted exhibits a subpar command of written and spoken English, significantly hindering comprehension. The pervasive weaknesses in writing and expression severely impede effective communication. The provided model is superficial, unconvincing, and lacks any meaningful connection to the reference patent. The accompanying text is either unintelligible or overly generic. The SysML diagrams are incomplete, poorly organized, and riddled with errors. The handwritten drafts, submitted as low-quality scans on canvas, are barely legible. The Requirements diagram omits crucial requirements while including irrelevant elements. The SysML Block Definition Diagram fails to accurately represent system structure, showcasing incorrect block associations and lacking essential external actors, systems/organizations, and key signal flows. The SysML Activity diagram lacks proper activity boundaries, and the flows are either absent or flawed, suggesting a fundamental misunderstanding of these concepts. The overall presentation of the diagrams is disjointed and lacks consistent labelling.

Examples of poor written presentations from past coursework submissions: (diagrams are blurred to prevent copying!)

Examples of good written presentations from past coursework submissions:

Past errors

Students typically lose marks in this coursework from misunderstanding the SysML diagrams as covered in the lectures, sometimes submitting diagrams which have completely different notations! This is especially true of the activity diagram. We only cover a subset of the SysML diagram standard in the lectures, so it is strongly recommended you review the lecture materials before attempting this coursework.

Guidance on completing the assignment.

1)   Study the lectures and the intelligent kettle example. Consult the course text available

through the canvas ResourceList to ensure your notation’s correct: Friedenthal, S., Moore, A., & Steiner, R. (2014). A practical guide to SysML: the systems modeling language. Morgan Kaufmann.

2)    Download the patent. There are 26 pages of text and diagrams. You should note:

a.    What are the requirements and their types/directives.

b.   Are there any structural elements? These can typically be identified from nouns in the text. Many figures in the patent also identify the components.

c.    Any there any behavioural elements? These are typically verbs in the text.

d.    What is missing in the patent which you can assume in order to complete the design?

3)   Start with your requirements – the SysML Requirements Diagram. Look at your list and select the requirements that you think best describe what the system does. Refine your diagram and add detail, following the advice given in the lecture and the intelligent kettle example.

4)    Move onto Structure - the SysML Block Definition Diagram. You should be able to identify the key structural blocks from the text and figures. It may also help if you consult your requirements diagram as requirements blocks can be satisfied by structural blocks. Refine your Block Definition Diagram, once again following the intelligent kettle example.

5)    Finally, tackle the Activity Diagram. This is the most difficult diagram to produce since it considers function and flows. Using the patent document, your requirements diagram and block definition diagram, identify a key activity frame consisting of several activities and the flows in and out of the activity frame. Remember to keep separate control and matter/information/energy flows!

6)   To draw your final diagrams, use a basic drawing tool such as powerpoint. There are UML/SysML packages for drawing models, but I do not recommend these as there can be notational differences and added complexity.

7)    I iterated over the intelligent kettle design used in the lectures many times to get it right, and so should you. I recommend you spend a day on the diagrams.

8)   You do not need to completely replicate the design in the patent – your SysML diagrams would be too complex. Instead, you should model a similar system which is of sufficient detail to demonstrate you can use the SysML notation standard as covered in lectures to its fullest.

9)   While Generative AI tools like Chat-GPT, Copilot, or Gemini can be utilised in this coursework (see next page), it's imperative to explicitly detail their usage in the appendix, including the specific prompts employed. Remember, these tools should serve as aids, not replacements for your own critical thinking and effort – use them as a support, not a crutch!