Quantum computing is rapidly evolving into an emerging computational infrastructure and is increasingly being used to tackle real-world problems in domains such as chemistry, materials science, logistics, and finance, as well as software engineering problems such as test optimization and project scheduling. Hybrid quantum-classical applications are particularly important because they provide a practical path for integrating quantum capabilities into existing software systems under near-term hardware constraints. However, the engineering of hybrid quantum-classical applications remains largely ad hoc and constrained by hardware limitations including qubit scarcity, noise, and limited connectivity. In this paper, we propose Q-READY to address the lack of systematic methodologies for assessing the feasibility of hybrid solutions prior to costly implementation. Positioned as a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach grounded in Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) principles, Q-READY establishes a structured pipeline encompassing requirements modeling, problem formulation, workflow design, and hardware-aware feasibility assessment, enabling simulation-based evaluation and comparison of candidate solutions under realistic constraints through traceable system-level models and backend-aware abstractions. We illustrate the pipeline with a running credit-portfolio capital-assessment example, showing how requirements, problem structure, strategy choices, workflow behavior, backend assumptions, and feasibility evidence can be linked into a coherent engineering decision. Q-READY is envisioned as an environment that supports executable modeling, constraint evaluation, and predictive analysis. Its expected outcomes include a systematic methodology for hybrid quantum application design, a supporting software platform, benchmark datasets, and empirical design guidelines.
Quantum computing is rapidly evolving into an emerging computational infrastructure and is increasingly being used to tackle real-world problems in domains such as chemistry, materials science, logistics, and finance, as well as software engineering problems such as test optimization and project scheduling. Hybrid quantum-classical applications are particularly important because they provide a practical path for integrating quantum capabilities into existing software systems under near-term hardware constraints. However, the engineering of hybrid quantum-classical applications remains largely ad hoc and constrained by hardware limitations including qubit scarcity, noise, and limited connectivity. In this paper, we propose Q-READY to address the lack of systematic methodologies for assessing the feasibility of hybrid solutions prior to costly implementation. Positioned as a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach grounded in Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) principles, Q-READY establishes a structured pipeline encompassing requirements modeling, problem formulation, workflow design, and hardware-aware feasibility assessment, enabling simulation-based evaluation and comparison of candidate solutions under realistic constraints through traceable system-level models and backend-aware abstractions. We illustrate the pipeline with a running credit-portfolio capital-assessment example, showing how requirements, problem structure, strategy choices, workflow behavior, backend assumptions, and feasibility evidence can be linked into a coherent engineering decision. Q-READY is envisioned as an environment that supports executable modeling, constraint evaluation, and predictive analysis. Its expected outcomes include a systematic methodology for hybrid quantum application design, a supporting software platform, benchmark datasets, and empirical design guidelines.
Quantum computing is quickly becoming a potentially disruptive technology that can tackle the problems inaccessible to classical computers, but the use of quantum computing in real software systems has yet to be fully explored. Present day quantum studies are largely focused on the development of algorithms and hardware, whereas engineering workflows to be used to enable smooth hybrid quantum-classical operations attract limited attention. The paper suggests a concept of quantum-ready software engineering- a systematic approach to applying established principles of software engineering to hybrid systems. In order to meet maintainability, scalability, and reliability objectives in hybrid applications, propose the adoption of a multilayered design, such as abstraction, integration, orchestration, and verification. An example concrete programming template, written in Python in Qiskit, demonstrates how quantum functions being used as modular services can be simulated with classical software. Evaluation measures (maintainability index, latency, and modularity) demonstrate the feasibility of the framework. Results indicate that the hybrid pipelines can be designed in a systematic way using quantum-classical-adapted design patterns. The study introduces a repeatable methodology, program templates, and design pattern engineering principles, which open the door to additional development of quantum DevOps and design pattern formalization. This project, by bridging the gap between classical software engineering and quantum integration, gives a platform upon which to build extraordinarily reliable, scalable systems in the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum and beyond.
Quantum simulation is a leading candidate for demonstrating practical quantum advantage over classical computation, as it is believed to provide exponentially more compute power than any classical system. It offers new means of studying the behaviour of complex physical systems, for which conventionally software-intensive simulation codes based on numerical high-performance computing are used. Instead, quantum simulations map properties and characteristics of subject systems, for instance chemical molecules, onto quantum devices that then mimic the system under study.
Currently, the use of these techniques is largely limited to fundamental science, as the overall approach remains tailored for specific problems: We lack infrastructure and modelling abstractions that are provided by the software engineering community for other computational domains.
In this paper, we identify critical gaps in the quantum simulation software stack-particularly the absence of general-purpose frameworks for model specification, Hamiltonian construction, and hardware-aware mappings. We advocate for a modular model-driven engineering (MDE) approach that supports different types of quantum simulation (digital and analogue), and facilitates automation, performance evaluation, and reusability. Through an example from high-energy physics, we outline a vision for a quantum simulation framework capable of supporting scalable, cross-platform simulation workflows.
Quantum computing is commonly described as a type of computation that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Specifically, quantum computers can handle complexity efficiently using superposition and enhanced problem-solving capabilities as a result of its utilization of the quantum bit instead of the bit used in classical computing. In the age of digital manipulation, the capabilities of quantum computers have allowed for a more holistic understanding of quantum computer’s ability to bring about solutions to cybersecurity, banking and finance, and advanced manufacturing systems. Some of the most prevalent challenges to develop quantum algorithms include benchmarking and error mitigation techniques necessary for software development and hardware implementation and interfacing. To address these shortcoming, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is being proposed to develop a framework through a formalized application of modeling to support system requirements and traceability and create models to support system behavior and how quantum machines will interact with the software and hardware to increase stakeholder understanding. Other MBSE techniques like recursive validation and verification throughout the project lifecycle ensure that quantum-based projects reach the highest level of development. This research will use a systematic literature review methodology for evidence-informed research through a bibliometric analysis. Therefore, the aim of this literature review is to identify past or current trends in existing research that applies MBSE methods to quantum computing. This paper will identify where MBSE has been used to add value in quantum computing and set priorities for future work
Quantum computing promises transformative computational capabilities; however, the absence of structured and standardized software engineering significantly limits its practical scalability. Quantum Software Engineering (QSE) remains fragmented, tool-centric, and largely experimental. This paper proposes a structured Quantum Software Engineering Lifecycle Framework that systematically integrates requirements engineering, hybrid design, quantum development, verification, deployment, and governance. To validate the proposed lifecycle, a two-stage evaluation was conducted. First, a Delphi-based expert validation involving 15 domain experts assessed clarity, feasibility, scalability, and hybrid applicability. Second, a simulation-based comparative analysis using Qiskit and PennyLane evaluated the lifecycle against ad-hoc development workflows across variational and search-based quantum algorithms. Results demonstrate a 24% reduction in development time, 15–18% improvement in execution fidelity, and significant gains in modularity, reusability, and tool interoperability. These findings confirm that adopting a structured lifecycle enables more reliable, scalable, and sustainable quantum software development, positioning QSE as a mature engineering discipline rather than purely experimental practice.
This paper has a full-scale reference architecture for hybrid quantum-classical learning to include the integration of classical representation models with quantum neural networks (QNN), quantum support vector machines (QSVM), quantum principal component analysis (qPCA), variational quantum circuits (VQC), and QAOA-based combinatorial optimization to create next-generation predictive business intelligence and complex decision optimization subject to all real world operating constraints. The proposed structure has a layered system consisting of; (1) Quantum aware data encoding techniques through Amplitude, Basis and Angle Mapping; (2) Differentiable Hybrid Learning Pipelines optimized using Parameter Shift Gradient Methods across Simulators and Managed Quantum Processing Units; (3) Prescriptive Workflows that reformulate Multi-Objective Business Problems such as Supply Chain Coordination, Routing with Time Windows and Portfolio Construction into QUBO Representations Supported by Convex Warm Starts and Classical Post-Processing to Guarantee Feasibility and Explainability. An End-To-End Orchestration Layer will manage Circuit Templates, Data Hashes, Model Versions and Backend Execution Metadata to Provide Reproducibility, Traceability, Governance Compliance Across All Enterprise Pipelines. A Systematic Evaluation Protocol Will be Defined to Isolate Quantum Contribution Through Systematic Ablation Analysis of Classical-Only, Quantum-Only, and Hybrid Configurations Combined With Rolling Window Validation, Latency Profiling, Cost Efficiency Analysis, and Carbon Impact Accounting. Industry Standard Time Series and Probabilistic Accuracy Measures Including sMAPE, MASE, CRPS and Calibration Consistency Will Be Used to Evaluate the Performance of Predictive Models. Optimization Quality Will Be Evaluated Using Optimality Gap, Constraint Violation Rates, Time to Feasible Solution and Downstream Business Impact on Profit Margins and Service Levels. An Interpretability Layer Will Provide Transparency by Mapping Quantum Feature Spaces, Circuit Observables, and Kernel Alignment Structures to Domain-Specific Reasoning to Build Stakeholder Trust, Auditability and Regulatory Alignment. In Addition, The Framework Will Incorporate Adaptive Decision-Making Via Quantum Reinforcement Learning to Allow Continuous Optimization Under Dynamic and Uncertain Business Environments. An Energy Aware Execution Layer Will Dynamically Route Workloads Between Classical Simulators and Quantum Hardware According to Predefined Energy Budgets, Carbon Thresholds, and Performance Demands. The Overall Framework Provides a Scalable, Auditable and Ethically Aligned Blueprint for Deploying Hybrid Quantum-Classical Intelligence Within Existing Enterprise Ecosystems for Applications Such as Financial Forecasting, Retail Analytics, Dynamic Pricing, Market Risk Modeling, and Supply Chain Optimization.
Quantum computing has emerged as a transformative paradigm, leveraging principles of quantum mechanics to tackle computationally intractable problems. This manuscript explores the potential of quantum computing for solving complex engineering problems—specifically optimization, simulation, and data analysis tasks—using technologies and methodologies available up to 2022. We examine both gate-based and quantum annealing approaches, outline experimental frameworks, and compare performance against classical counterparts. Results from simulated benchmark problems demonstrate promising speedups in select cases, though practical adoption is constrained by hardware limitations such as qubit coherence times and noise. The study concludes by highlighting avenues for integrating hybrid quantum-classical workflows in engineering, along with a discussion of current constraints and future directions. Over the past decade, research efforts have focused on understanding how quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement can be harnessed to realize computational advantages for specific problem classes. In particular, combinatorial optimization problems—ubiquitous in engineering design and logistics—offer fertile ground for quantum algorithms such as the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and quantum annealing. Additionally, quantum simulation techniques, including the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), promise to accelerate the modeling of physical systems at the molecular and materials level, potentially informing the design of next-generation structural and functional materials. Beyond raw algorithmic performance, this paper carefully assesses the end‑to‑end workflow, accounting for overheads in problem encoding, error mitigation, and classical post‑processing. We also present a detailed analysis of resource utilization—quantified by qubit counts, circuit depths, and annealing schedules—highlighting trade‑offs between solution quality and execution time. Ultimately, our findings underscore that, while pure quantum speedups remain rare in 2022, hybrid approaches harnessing both quantum and classical resources can yield practical benefits for small‑to‑medium scale engineering tasks. This expanded evaluation provides a roadmap for researchers and practitioners interested in applying quantum computing to real‑world engineering challenges.