Project Note
u Project Note
SOPHIST GmbH
Introduction of new
Vordere Cramergasse 13 90478 NĂźrnberg Deutschland
methods for system
E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de . Internet: www.sophist.de Fon: +49 (0)911 40 900-0 . Fax: +49 (0)911 40 900-99
development
Project Note
u Project Note
SOPHIST GmbH
Introduction of new
Vordere Cramergasse 13 90478 NĂźrnberg Deutschland
methods for system
E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de . Internet: www.sophist.de Fon: +49 (0)911 40 900-0 . Fax: +49 (0)911 40 900-99
development
Introduction of new methods for system development Defining methods for the system development, adequate for military and aviation, in a team of experts
The Challenge Eurocopter is one of the leading producers of civil and military helicopters. In addition to the development of new helicopters, maintenance and further development of the installed systems are core themes. In order to make the cost-intensive further development of the “flying” software more efficient and to reduce the in-service costs of the helicopters, the highly specialized software development tools are continuously refined. These tools form an environment in which i.a. single components of a helicopter can be simulated or integrated (hardware in the loop). In the scope of this project, it was SOPHIST’s task to work up a proceeding for the development of these supporting tools and to implement this approach. At that, we focused on the disciplines of requirements analysis, architecture and fine design.
Implementation At the beginning of the project, a core team was formed that - apart from us SOPHISTs as experts concerning the method - consisted of more key roles such as persons responsible for
the tool, future users of the method and representatives from QA. Within this core team, we defined the respective general framework for the implementation project. UML was determined as the modeling language, a modeling tool was chosen and, moreover, the basic procedure was decided on, the considered disciplines were settled and goals and dates of important milestones were defined. The definition of the method took place in phase two. In this phase, the core team defined the diagrams and notation elements to be used in the respective disciplines such as requirements analysis, architecture and fine design and complemented them with modeling patterns for typical tasks. The core team conducted a first validation of the method with an example given by the customer (simulation of a multifunctional display for the refinement of the interface). The roll-out of the methods in the customer’s development projects took place sequentially for each single discipline. The roll-out followed the same scheme in every discipline: We started with a three day training course in which the method was introduced using one consistent example. The transition into the customer’s projects was then initiated in a closing workshop. By doing so, the foundation for the application of the methods in the day-to-day business was laid. For the following two to three months, SOPHIST
Technical Data: Tools Employed: Topcased Methods Employed: General: UML, information model, tracing Analysis: Defining context boundaries, use case analysis, modeling sequence flows, non-functional requirements Architecture and fine design: System decomposition, system composition, system distribution, class design
SOPHIST GmbH Vordere Cramergasse 13 90478 Nürnberg Deutschland fon: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-0 fax: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-99
© Eurocopter
E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de Internet: www.sophist.de © SOPHIST
Bildquelle: © iStockphoto | Eurocopter: http://press.airbushelicopters.com/en/gallery/as550-c3
Introduction of new methods for system development supported the customer with an intense coaching in which particular advancements and possibilities for improvement were discussed. After completing this coaching phase, the next discipline was taken into consideration. The coaching phases ensured an efficient transfer into the chosen projects and provided the staff with the necessary security and motivation for applying the new method. As a result, we have generated knowledge carriers among the core team who might then function as multipliers for further projects. The parallel introduction in ca. five very different projects (Java, ADA, Shell-programming) enabled us to consider the broadness of the scope and, hence, to extend, round off and stabilize the method with the needed fine adjustment. In a short period of time, the work processes and communication within the team could be improved, synergies could be discovered and, thereby, the contents and functions of the projects could be optimized. We were able to ensure the smooth integration into the everyday work by mapping the appointed modeling tool, resp. configuring the tool through profiles and export-interfaces.
© Eurocopter Customer Benefit ►► SOPHIST defined a consistent procedure for requirements analysis, architecture and fine design. ►► The support in the projects ensured the acceptance among the involved parties, sustainability of the application of the approach and the specification of the method for typical practical problems. ►► By setting up know how multipliers and feedback cycles, the transfer of the knowledge on the customer could be secured.
Technical Data: Tools Employed: Topcased Methods Employed: General: UML, information model, tracing Analysis: Defining context boundaries, use case analysis, modeling sequence flows, non-functional requirements Architecture and fine design: System decomposition, system composition, system distribution, class design
SOPHIST GmbH Vordere Cramergasse 13 90478 Nürnberg Deutschland fon: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-0 fax: +49 (0)9 11 40 900-99 E-Mail: heureka@sophist.de Internet: www.sophist.de © SOPHIST