Tracing Requirements with the Eclipse Requirements Modeling Framework
Michael Jastram
Formal Mind GmbH / University of Düsseldorf
J11.2
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AGENDA
> Requirements & Tools Today
> Requirements Modeling Framework (RMF)
> Demo of ProR (GUI)
> Traceability
> Demo of Rodin Integration (Modeling)
> Outlook
RMF news via the
Formal Minds blog
and newsletter:
http://formalmind.com/
newsletter/subscriptions
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Is RMF for you?
If …
… you consider requirements important
… you do Eclipse-based systems engineering
… Word, Excel, Wiki just doesn't cut it for requirements
… you are looking for an open, extensible requirements tool
… then RMF may be what you were looking for
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Michael Jastram
> Cofounder Formal Mind GmbHScience for Systems Engineering
> Completing PhD program (University of Düsseldorf)Focus on Requirements / Formal Models
> Project Lead / CofounderEclipse Requirements Modeling Framework
> Chairman / Founderrheinjug (Java User Group Düsseldorf)
RequirementsRequirements and Requirements Tools Today
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Why Requirements?
Image: dilbert.com
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What are Requirements?
> “A condition or capability needed by a user to solve a problem or achieve an objective (...)”
(IEEE)
> Requirements answer: What?
> Specification answers: How?
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A Few Approaches and Tooling
V-Modell XT RUP/OpenUP Scrum & Co Ad Hoc
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
HeavyLight
Specialized Text and Web-based Anything
Tool chains UML
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Requirements in different Fields
> Requirements for Software (Web, Desktop, etc.)
– Small number
– Complement Models
> Requirements for Embedded Systems
– Large Number
– Part of Contracts
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Features of Requirements Tools
> Like:
– DOORS
– Integrity
– IRQA
> Features
– Requirements Text + Attributes
– Various Attribute Types (Rich Text, Enumerations, OLE, etc.)
– Hierarchical Document Structure
– Traceability between Requirements
– Versioning / Baselining
> Analysis
> Scripting / Programming
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
RMFThe Eclipse Requirements Modeling Framework
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> Framework for working with textual requirements
> Based on ReqIF (Requirements Interchange Format)
> Components: GUI ( ) and Core
> Extensible (Eclipse plug-ins / EMF)
> Roots in academia
> Designed for industry
RMF Overview
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> Initial Development ProR (Focus on GUI)April 2010 – June 2010
> Verde/itemis Collaboration (ReqIF Core)July 2010 – February 2011
> Eclipse Foundation Submission (RMF)March 2011 – November 2011
> Preperation for first Eclipse Integration BuildDecember 2011 – January 2012
> Following the RoadmapFebruary 2012 – present
RMF History
Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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RMF ArchitectureIm
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ReqIF Content
Taken from OMG ReqIF 1.0.1 SpecifcationImage: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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> ReqIF Meta-Meta-Model
– Unchangeable (OMG Standard)
– Used by Developer
> Information Meta-Model:
– Structures for Capturing Requirements
– Used by Requirements Engineer
> Requirements Model:
– The Actual Requirements
– Used by Stakeholders
ReqIF: Three Layers
Demo 1Of the ProR Tool (GUI of RMF)
TraceabilityConnecting the dots within and beyond the requirements description
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> For reasoning (SysML: containment, derive, satisfy, verify, refine)
> For change management
> For project management
> For test management
> … and many more uses
Why Traceability?
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> Traceability is not self-serving!
> Outdated/missing/incorrect traceability can be worse than none!
> Effective traceability needs integration
Traceability: End or Means?
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> Approach developed as part of research
> Traceability between requirements and formal specification
> Goal: Achieve consistency between requirements and (partly formal) specification
> Principle applies to other processes and integrations
Hallerstede, Jastram, Ladenberger: “A Method and Tool for Tracing Requirements into Specifications”, Science of Computer Programming (Submitted), 2012
http://www.stups.uni-duesseldorf.de/w/Special:Publication/HalJasLad2012
An Academic Example
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> Formalism / Method for discrete System Modeling
> State-based
> Support of invariants
> Proof Obligations for consistency of invariants
> Targeted at the embedded market
> Tools support via Rodin Platform
Event-B
Demo 2Of the Integration of ProR (Requirements) and Rodin (Event-B Models)
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> RMF 0.3.0 got released on June 16th
> Tool interoperability via ProSTEP implementor forum
> Integration with Topcased planned (UML/SysML)
> Protoypical Xtext Integration exists
> Academic and commercial use being expanded
> We eat our dogfood!
The Future
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> Completes Eclipse tool chain for Systems Engineering
> “Better than Word, cheaper than Doors”
> Ready to be used
> Interoperability thanks to ReqIF
What's in for You?
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Thank you!Questions, Comments, and Constructive Criticism Welcome!
Requirements Modeling Framework
http://eclipse.com/rmf
ProR GUI for Requirements
http://eclipse.com/rmf/pror
RMF news via the
Formal Minds blog
and newsletter:
http://formalmind.com/
newsletter/subscriptions
