SysML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Systems Modeling Language

I bought this book to use for a new program I am starting at work. Whether you read the book from beginning to end, use it as a companion to Lenny Delligatti's online course (which also great so far--especially if you are planning to take the OCSMP certification), or use it as a reference when working with SysML models for work/study, the book is well-organized and formatted for quick discovery of the important topics. My company paid for Lenny's course for me so I am working through the course and using the book as a companion. In the meantime, I am referencing the book for the satellite models I am studying at work. Lenny uses a satellite model for his example so it's even better for my situation. He also makes an example SysML model available for free so you can work with the example model as you learn. What is also not emphasized in the book and the example model (but probably should be) is the elements of good style when creating SysML models. How you organized your element structures, how to maximize repeatability, and good naming conventions are other benefits that you get when you use the book and the associated free SysML model. Highly recommended and an amazing bargain in the technical book market space.

I highly recommend SysML Distilled to anyone learning the language and/or preparing for the first level of the Certified System Modeling Professional (CSMP) exam. This book provides a great overview of the language and can serve as a fine desk reference for experienced modelers. After introducing the “Three Pillars of MBSE” (languages, methods, and tools) it wisely focuses on the SysML language, which is the subject of the CSMP-User exam. The book’s organization reflects the structure of the SyML language. While each kind of diagram has a dedicated chapter, I really appreciated how a single recurring example – the design of the “DellSat-77” satellite – was used to build upon the techniques and insights developed in previous chapters. The book was just right for me, an almost breezy 250 pages, including copious diagrams. Thanks to skillful editing and a conversational writing style, it’s an enjoyable read that provides just enough theory without getting bogged down by abstractions. With moderate effort, in about a week you’ll gain a well-rounded appreciation for SysML that positions you for further study. For those interested in further study, the author points the way with plenty of references for alternative languages (e.g., UML, UPDM, BPMN, MARTE, SoaML), as well as for popular modeling methodologies (OOSEM, SYSMOD, or IBM Telelogic Harmony-SE) and tools (Cameo, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect, Modelio, et al). I’m familiar with most of the previous SysML books on the market. While no single book or reference can completely prepare you for the CSMP exam, I would highly recommend this book as your starting point. Note: as of this writing, the publisher offers free access to the Safari online version for 45 days.

Though I have done a lot of programming in the past (mostly in computational mechanics), I am just a beginner with SysML. This book has been quite helpful to me in general. I have found it to be a very good, compact reference that explains important points/features quite well - which is no easy feat. I have done a lot of graduate level teaching in the past and presently I teach short courses on involved technical subjects. The author of this book is an exceptional teacher with a lot of experience and a real expert in the subject. That is very clear to me. There are other good references that are much larger and cover much more ground, with more examples, etc. But sometimes they tend to be more of a collection of features of the language. This one, however, is well written and clear. I only wish it was a bit longer with more detailed examples. That being said SysML Distilled is a solid reference in general and I am glad I have it.

I found this book a perfect introduction to SysML, both in terms of its content and structure. Having no background or experience, I needed something that would get me up and running as quickly as possible. This book was recommended by colleagues as a book that, not only would get you up to speed, but would be the first point-of-call, as a desktop reference. This has turned out to be true. The book’s first two chapters introduce, in a straightforward and concise way, an overview of MBSE, the three pillars (Language, Methodology, Tool) and an overview of the SysML language. And, while this book clearly points out its focus is the language, it provided me enough information on the remaining two pillars, to get my research in those two areas going as well. The remainder of the book has a chapter focussing on each of the nine SysML diagrams, covering not only how to do but it also provides insight into when and why they are used. This book uses a consistent model (The DellSat-77 Satellite System) throughout to explain the SysML diagrams, which I found especially helpful in reinforcing the concepts being presented. You can even download the model in either magicdraw or xml format, which I also found useful in finding my way around the tool I was learning. In summary, I believe this book has provided me with a solid introduction to SysML and I have no hesitation in recommending it to others.

I recommend this SysML Distilled as your first SysML book if you want to know the following: a) What is Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) ? b) What is the value of MBSE and what is it good for ? c) How to correctly interpret and/or generate diagrams in SysML. Mr. Delligatti's addresses head-on in Chapter 2, you can learn SysML without knowing UML first. I found this book to be essential in my learning how to generate high quality SysML system models. I purchased 2 other SysML books before this book and I have access to Systems Engineering with SysML/UML via Books 24x7. I found the other books either had too light coverage or explanation, or they covered many details at once with too light explanation (which resulted in me putting those books down). I found SysML Distilled to be just right. SysML Distrilled is organized and constructed for step-wise, cognitive assimulation (at least mine). I am truly enjoying this book and am learning how to build valid, well-formed system models much more efficiently. By studying this book, I have learned to appreciate the differences between just building a system model that looks nice on paper versus building an effective system model that performs well (correctly to meet user needs). SysML Distilled is well organized and is a good reference book for the MBSE / SysML reader or model builder. Each diagram type has its own chapter. This book covers the material addressed in the first 2 SysML certification exams. I bought this book in Kindle and paperback formats via Amazon.

This book is just exactly right for someone looking to be introduced to SysML. It prepares the reader for the OCSMP Model User and Model Builder Fundamental certifications. Mr. Delligatti perfectly "distills" what is otherwise a broad, daunting topic down to its most essential elements, making it accessible to certainly anyone with an engineering background, and even to many without an engineering background. It focuses the reader on what is important for the exams, but also prepares them for real-world model implementation through tangible examples. Lenny uses a single SysML model he created himself as an example for the entire book, making the reading more relatable to actual application. Finally, Mr. Delligatti himself is an expert in the field with years of experience in SysML and application of MBSE tools in industry. He also has training and experience in the art of teaching. His experience melds perfectly in this book to deliver a resource that provides insights that will impact a modeler's actual ability to do their job. This book is the gold standard for SysML beginners. It accompanies a course (which I also took) that comes as highly recommended as the book.

Following a recommendation from my SysML academic instructor, I purchased "SysML Distilled" and have already read through the first three chapters. So far, I find it to be very readable and understandable; taut and concise. I especially appreciate the consistency and precision that Mr. Delligatti exercises when correctly using defined terms in his narrative (e.g., when describing diagram header format, he is always cites model element type and not model element kind). Since a significant hurdle to overcome in learning SysML is the sheer memorization of grammar and syntax, this is greatly appreciated and kind to the reader. Despite being a first edition, it is evident that Delligatti has taken care to write a high-quality, peer-reviewed text. As others have mentioned, this book makes a good companion to the seminal tome "A Practical Guide to SysML", by Friedenthal, Moore and Steiner. Of the two, Delligatti's book is far easier to digest. Additionally, it works hand-and-glove with Delligatti's OCSMP Accelerator™ SysML Training Course. A greatly appreciated plus is that he provides the example model "DellSat-77 Satellite" as a free download.

I bought the Kindle version, after purchasing the paper version last year. Excellent reference to quickly find the most popular features of the language. Concise and accurate, and much easier to follow and understand than other books in the market. A perfect guide for those pursuing certification, and at the same time to keep a copy at the side of your computer. This book is a great introduction to the elements and relations of the language. As most practitioners can assess, there is still a lot more to learn besides learning the fundamentals. It is my wish that the author follows up this excellent book with a second one, a guide for the construction of a SysML model, suggesting best practices. I know this is a big challenge: this is a subject where one size doesn't fit all... If you are a beginner, don't hesitate to consider this book as your introduction and reference. This book is the reference material of a 14 sessions webinar that the author is currently offering.

Great book! Excellent guide to the on-line training sessions. Definite read/guide/overview if you are looking at getting into the SysML world.

The book allows the reader to become familiar with SysMl and I feel comfortable with reading and comprehending SysMl diagrams. The examples add great value to the narrative of this book. The author uses well formed sentences, which is very important in my opinion for non native speakers. One suggestion: Provide in a next version a form of a "tutorial". A small project where the reader can exercise the contents of each chapter.

Very useful book for system enginners ( beginners or not). The language, descriptions and explanations are easy and clear to follow and understand SySML.

I used this book as a companion to Lenny's OCSMP Accelerator Course. I was impressed both with the course and the book - Lenny is certainly a gifted and clear-thinking instructor and explicator of concepts. The book is very readable and very clear, which I appreciate is an achievement since SysML semantics can be quite tricky and complicated. Also, the single example that is threaded through the book serves well to bind the different sections and concepts. I tried to duplicate this model by copying the diagrams, that I found that very productive. If one is interested in becoming competent in the first 2 levels of OCSMP certification, I would definitely recommend this book as the way to go. Even if one desires to master the remaining levels, I haven't found a better introductory text than this one.

Este livro é uma ótima referência para pesquisa rápida da semântica e sintaxe do sysML, mas serve apenas como complemento para outras bibliografias.