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Specifying Features in Terms of Domain Models: MuDForM Method Definition and Case Study
  • Robert Deckers,
  • Patricia Lago
Robert Deckers
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Patricia Lago
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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Abstract

To enable the people involved in a software development process to communicate and reason close to their area of knowledge, we are investigating a method to formalize and integrate knowledge of multiple domains into domain models and into specifications in terms of those domain models. For this purpose, we have previously defined a set of method objectives, and an initial version of the method –called MuDForM. This paper reports on the methodical support for using a domain model as terminology to define other specifications, and feature specifications in particular. We performed a case study to validate how well the method helps in the specification of processes and to realize the case-specific objectives of the customer. The case study pertains to the formalization of the ISO26262 standard for functional safety in the automotive domain. We found that our method is suitable to systematically formalize a process that is described in natural language, such that there is a clear separation of domain-specific concepts, unambiguous process specifications, and concepts from outside the domain and process of interest. We have extended our method with concepts, steps, and guidelines for grammatical analysis, for the formalization of constraints, and for the specification of processes. The case-specific results are the unambiguous specification of a part of the ISO26262 processes.
22 Oct 2022Submitted to Journal of Software: Evolution and Process
27 Oct 2022Submission Checks Completed
27 Oct 2022Assigned to Editor
05 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
15 Mar 20231st Revision Received
17 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
17 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
17 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 May 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
22 Aug 20232nd Revision Received
22 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
22 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
23 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Accept