A Value-Based Process for Achieving Software Dependability

Since different systems have different success-critical stakeholders, and these stakeholders depend on the system in different ways, using traditional one-size-fits-all dependability metrics to drive the system and software development process is likely to lead to delivered systems that are unsatisfactory to some stakeholders. This paper proposes a Value-Based Software Dependability Achievement (VBSDA) process generated from the WinWin Spiral Model’s risk-driven approach coupled with a set of value-based dependability analysis frameworks, methods, and models for reasoning about software and system dependability. It helps project success-critical stakeholders define, negotiate and develop mission-specific combinations of dependability attributes. The NASA/USC Inspector SCRover (ISCR) project is used as a case study to elaborate the process.