Finding the Gap: A Systematic Review on the Integration of Problem Structuring Methods in Systems Engineering Models

There are numerous studies on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Problem Structuring Methods (PSM) but little discussion on the integration of these two areas. This article undertakes a systematic literature review to explore the integration of PSM in MBSE models, an area that remains largely unexplored. Addressing the research problem of whether PSM is effectively used in structuring Systems Engineering (SE) models, the study aims to verify the existence and applicability of such models that incorporate PSM in their design. Using the PRISMA methodology, searches were conducted in six academic databases, identifying over 160 articles, of which only seven met the selection criteria. The findings highlight a significant gap in the literature: an almost complete absence of SE models that explicitly integrate PSM, with only one study showing significant integration. This underscores the need for future research, encouraging innovation and the development of new approaches that combine PSM and SE.