Wolfgang Emmerich*, Sergio Bandinelli+, Luigi Lavazza# and Jim
Arlow&
* Dept. of Computer Science,
City University London,
Northampton Square,
London EC1V 0HB, UK
+ European Software Institute,
Parque Tecnologico, 204
48170 Zamudio, Bizkaia
Spain
# Politecnico di Milano
and CEFRIEL
Via Emanueli 15
20126 Milano
Italy
& 8a Butler Ave
Harrow
Middx, HA1 4EH, UK
Abstract:
We report on the experimental application of process technology at British
Airways (BA). We used SLANG to model BA's C++ class library management
process, and we constructed an experimental process-centred software engineering
environment (PSEE) based on SPADE. BA required processes to be automated
at a finer degree of granularity than tool invocation. We have demonstrated
that SLANG and SPADE offer the basic mechanisms for modelling these fine-grained
processes. We have also shown that it is feasible to generate tools for
dedicated processes and integrate them with a SLANG model so as to facilitate
fine-grained process automation. However, our experience highlighted some
open problems. For instance, SLANG process models are tuned to efficient
enactment, thus containing very detailed process fragments. These are not
the most appropriate representation for humans trying to understand the
process model. A more comprehensible notation is needed for design and
documentation purposes. Although the airline did not deploy the PSEE in
its production environment, the experiment proved beneficial for BA. The
modelling uncovered serious flaws in the existing process, and the BA engineers
improved their knowledge of process technology.
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Updated on: 17/12/96
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