As construction projects become more complex, the amount of information is expanding. Contractors have adopted Systems Engineering (SE) to effectively capture this information of a system and ensure complex projects are realised on time and meet the high-quality needs of clients. However, the traditional use of documents and dispersion of information across digital systems leads to time-consuming and error-prone processes.

To address this problem, this research explores how Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) can be adopted to enhance SE processes of a contractor. MBSE is a modelling approach using a centralised system model consisting of interconnected sub-models. As MBSE has been adopted successfully in other industries, the construction industry continues to rely on the traditional document-centric SE approach. Therefore, the main research question of this research is: “How can Model-Based Systems Engineering be adopted to improve efficiency of Systems Engineering processes for a contractor?”.

This question is answered by first analysing existing literature on SE and MBSE. Continued by conducting interviews and an industry analysis to determine requirements for MBSE adoption, resulting in a selection of MBSE methods, tools, and languages suitable for contractors. In this way, an adoption proposal is created, including the change in digital landscape and information management. The tool Capella is used to model a case study project using MBSE principles. Finally, an expert session validates the benefits of the created MBSE models.

Key findings highlight MBSE’s potential to address some of the limitations of the current SE approach used by contractors. Furthermore, adopting MBSE requires careful consideration of implementing a MBSE tool and determining the single source of truth for each information element in the digital landscape. To realise the full potential of MBSE, information must be stored in models instead of documents. The added value of MBSE is validated by modelling a case study in the Capella tool and conducting an expert session. The main benefit of integrating a MBSE tool for contractors is a faster and higher quality design for disciplines using functional system behaviour. The modelling approach enables easier understanding of the system, more complete interface identification, faster impact analyses, and potential to enhance efficiency in the testing phase.

Challenges of this modelling approach consist of human resistance, integration with current system, expectation variations per discipline, management and responsibility of models, and additional design effort. Finally, the PARiHS framework provides input for the establishment of four maturity levels, which organisations can apply stepwise to effectively adopt MBSE.