Title: The applications of SFTA and SFMEA approaches during software development process: an analytical review

Authors: Pankaj Vyas; R.K. Mittal

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Information System, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-333031, Rajasthan, India ' Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-333031, Rajasthan, India

Abstract: Software fault tree analysis (SFTA) and software failure modes and effects analysis (SFMEA) are two well known recommended approaches for the analysis of software induced hazards in the system and are adapted in the software domain by employing the concepts of standard hardware safety approaches namely fault tree analysis (FTA) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) respectively. Both SFTA and SFMEA approaches, since their inception in the software domain, have been explored, either individually or jointly, by researchers at different stages of software development. This paper presents the critical review of the published work about the applications of both these approaches in three phases, namely requirements analysis, design and implementation/coding phases of software life cycle. After presenting the analytical review, the paper identifies the problems that are currently faced during the applications of these approaches and guides the directions for carrying out further research.

Keywords: software safety analysis; hazard analysis; software fault tree analysis; SFTA; software FMEA; failure modes and effects analysis; SFMEA; survey; safety critical; unified modelling language; UML; software development; software engineering.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCCBS.2015.068851

International Journal of Critical Computer-Based Systems, 2015 Vol.6 No.1, pp.29 - 49

Received: 28 Apr 2014
Accepted: 29 Jul 2014
Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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