Explore the terminology that powers modern digital engineering
Digital engineering brings together models, data, software, standards, and collaboration to improve how complex systems are designed, developed, tested, and sustained. Whether you're new to digital engineering or looking for a quick reference, this glossary explains the most common concepts used throughout the engineering lifecycle.
Use the Digital Engineering Periodic Table below to explore key concepts, then browse the definitions organized by category. Throughout this glossary, you'll also find links to related resources, best practices, and Innoslate capabilities.
Core Methods
These foundational concepts define the principles and practices that enable digital engineering.
A modern engineering approach that uses connected digital data, models, and processes throughout the lifecycle of a system. Digital engineering improves collaboration, decision-making, traceability, and lifecycle management by replacing disconnected documents with integrated digital information.
A systems engineering methodology that uses digital models as the primary source of engineering information instead of relying primarily on documents. MBSE improves communication, reduces errors, and maintains traceability across the system lifecycle.
An engineering approach that extends model-based practices beyond systems engineering into disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and software engineering.
A connected flow of engineering information that links requirements, models, design, manufacturing, testing, operations, and sustainment. A digital thread enables data to move seamlessly across tools and teams.
A virtual representation of a physical product or system that stays synchronized with operational or simulated data. Digital twins help organizations monitor performance, predict maintenance needs, and evaluate future scenarios.
An interdisciplinary engineering discipline focused on defining customer needs, balancing technical tradeoffs, and delivering successful systems throughout their lifecycle.
An individual object within a digital model that represents a requirement, component, function, interface, risk, test, or another engineering artifact.
The U.S. Department of Defense's strategic vision for transforming engineering through digital models, integrated data, and modern engineering practices.
The ability to follow relationships between requirements, models, design elements, tests, risks, and other engineering artifacts throughout the lifecycle.
A disciplined process for evaluating, approving, implementing, and documenting changes to engineering information while maintaining configuration control.
Get digital. Get connected. Get Innoslate free.
A digital engineering platform that combines project management, model-based systems engineering, and requirements management, along with strong integration to help engineers get their job done.
