On the Use of Visualization in Formal Requirements Specification

A limiting factor in the industrial acceptance of formal specifications is their readability, particularly for large, complex engineering systems. We hypothesize that multiple visualizations generated from a common model will improve the requirements creation, reviewing and understanding process. Visual representations, when effective, provide cognitive support by highlighting the most relevant interactions and aspects of a specification for a particular use. In this paper, we propose a taxonomy and some preliminary principles for designing visual representations of formal specifications. The taxonomy and principles are illustrated by sample visualizations we created while trying to understand a formal specification of the MD-11 Flight Management System. Keywords Requirements specification, visualization, formal methods

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: RE
• Authors: Nicolas Dulac, Thomas Viguier, Nancy G. Leveson, Margaret-Anne D. Storey
• Keywords: Complex Engineering Systems, Formal Specification, RE 2002, Software Engineering, Visual Representations