Constraint-based software specifications enable run-time monitoring to detect probable risk events and ensure the desired system behavior. SpecTRM-RL is a well-developed constraint-based specification method for computer-controlled systems. However, it is desirable to express constraints in familiar visual models. To provide better visualization and popularity, we developed methods to represent all the SpecTRM-RL constraint types in UML. We have also extended SpecTRM's constraints by adding relational and global constraints, and then expressed them in OCL. Safety verification of these specifications is also proposed. We developed a systematic way to construct fault trees for safety analysis based on UML diagrams. Due to the generality of UML as well as the defensive manner of constraints and fault tree analysis, our approach can be adapted for both general applications and safety-critical applications.

Tailoring industrial standards is done to reduce costs and improve quality for a particular project. This paper proposes using Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) analysis to support tailoring decision-making under uncertainties. However, there are two major problems associated with the objectivity of BBNs; that is, the construction of the causal inference diagrams and the assignment of probabilities of their dependency relations. We have developed a method to solve the first problem. In general, the relations among different activities, resources, and products addressed in software standards can be expressed more directly in Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams than in BBN's. Such relations include association, aggregation, or inheritance relations. We have developed a schema to construct BBNs for process tailoring from given UML diagrams that model a particular standard. The proposed approach systematically constructing BBNs can also be used to assist decision-making in other software project management activities, such as planning and risk management.