A Methodology for Safety Critical Software Systems Planning

Recently Safety Critical Software Systems (SCSSs) become essential part of many critical systems such as Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), radiation therapy, aircrafts, and many medical devices. Although of the vital role of SCSSs in saving human life, environment, and properties, there is no generic methodology for developing such systems based on standards and guidelines. This methodology sets an integrated model that concerned about the safety of critical software systems as a component of the critical systems. It consists of the needed processes and operations required for developing SCSSs free of faults. This methodology ensures that SCSSs are developed using processes which based on appropriate standards and guidelines and can be accordingly certified. The objective of this methodology is to produce certified critical software systems that comply and conform to standards and guidelines. The methodology consists of three phases (safety planning and requirements phase, safety analysis phase, and design, implementation, and operation phase). This paper is going to focus on safety plans phase. The insulin pump system is applied as a case study on the safety planning and requirements phase. Key-Words: Safety Critical Software Systems, Safety Analysis and Requirements, Insulin Pump