Early Estimation of Software Reliability through Dynamic Analysis

Early estimations and predictions of software quality attributes are essential to be in control of software development and to allow for delivery of software products which fulfil the requirements put on them. This paper focuses on a method enabling estimation and prediction of software reliability from the specification and design documents. The method is based on dynamic analysis of a well-defined high level description technique, and by applying usageoriented analysis, it is illustrated, through a case study, how the reliability can be controlled. Furthermore, it is described how the output from the analysis can be used as an acceptance criterion of the design, as support in the planning process for the test phases to come and finally as a method to enable estimation and prediction of the reliability in the testing phase and operational phase. The method is still being evaluated and improved, but it can be concluded that so far the results are inspiring for the future.