Workshop on Standards for (software) Architecture: An Assessment

24 June 2011, at WICSA 2011 in Boulder, CO

The goal of this workshop is to assess the state of architecture-related standards, lessons learned, and where we go from here.

Attendence is open to anyone attending WICSA. Early registration is open through 19 May 2011. Register here

Presenters

Abstracts

Mark Maier, IEEE 1471 as a Theoretical Tool for Architecture

IEEE 1471 standardized a number of important concepts that have proven valuable for understanding architecting. These concepts have found wider use in other standards and methods, although not always with the same names, and could be exploited further to partially formalize the practice of architecting. Among the topics to be explored are the impact of separating architecture and architecture description and view and viewpoint, and using viewpoints as a Framework for frameworks. [slides]

Peter Feiler, Experiences with SAE AADL on Safety-critical Systems

The SAE AADL is an international industry standard architecture language for embedded and cyber-physical systems. Its well-defined semantics, extensibility and support for multiple analysis dimensions have made it attractive for aerospace, automotive and medical device systems. In this presentation we highlight an Aerospace industry initiative called System Architecture Virtual Integration (SAVI) and its proof-of-concept demonstration of system and embedded software co-engineering based on a single-source architecture model - leading to major rework cost avoidance. We will also discuss the challenges of semantically consistent extensions to AADL for formalized validation & verification as well as safety and reliability analysis.


Call for Submissions (CLOSED)

IEEE 1471 was first approved in 2000, while approaches such as Kruchten’s “4+1 View Model” and RM ODP predate IEEE 1471. Other frameworks address system and/or enterprise concerns, such as GERAM and ISO 15704, Zachman Framework, the US DoD Architecture Framework and related frameworks such as MODAF and TOGAF. ISO is finishing a revision of ISO/IEC 42010:2007 (the ISO adoption of IEEE Std. 1471-2000). The last decade provides a rich set of architecture-related standards, motivated both by recognized practices and a hope that standards can effectively improve practice.

This workshop will provide an opportunity to assess this network of architecture-related standards. The workshop seeks papers and presentations assessing the effectiveness of standards for architecture, including both architecture as a conceptual object and architecture descriptions. This workshop intends to look at both direct experience with architecture standards and where standardization should proceed in the future. Topics of particular interest include:

Authors may propose a presentation, or may provide a position statement. Presenters should plan for 20 minute presentation and extensive, structured, discussion and interchange to follow. Subsequent workshop sessions will be based on the submissions (presentations and position statements). The workshop seeks topics that lend themselves to debate and discussion among the participants.

Submissions should be sent to the workshop organizers, Mark Maier, mwmaier@verizon.net and David Emery, demery@dsci.com. Submissions should specify the topic, the position to be taken by the presenters, and the structure to be followed in the workshop session.

Important Dates

Submission deadline: March 25, 2011

Notification of acceptance: April 18, 2011

Camera-ready due: April 22, 2011

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WICSA 2011: 9th Working IEEE/IFIP Conference on Software Architecture, in conjunction with CompArch 2011, 21–24 June, Boulder, CO.
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