AN INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE OF USING AN INCREMENTAL MODEL OF TECHNOLOGY-TRANSFER OF FORMAL DEVELOPMENT METHODS

This paper describes the process of transferring formal methods to the industry and specifically LOTOS and SDL as representative Formal Description Techniques (FDT's). From this purpose, a technology transfer model is described in order to accelerate their use. This model is conceptually presented under an incremental approach where the transference is done in several phases (or cycles). The first cycle is termed academic; there, the formalism and its theoretical framework is introduced. The second one is the methodological cycle where the emphasis is placed on the design of large specifications and its evaluation in a specific application domain to derive a sound methodological basis. The industrialization cycle considers the problems of introduction of the selected technology in the industrial practice under specific constraints. The experience of using this model in one research project (MEDAS) is outlined. The project included the development of three large case studies in the telecom field. From this experience a set of recommendations about how to transfer FDT's based on the characterization of industries w.r.t. software technology factors was proposed.