Basing Aviation Software Certification On Assurance Cases

1
Basing Aviation Software CertificationOn
Assurance Cases

• John Knight
• Patrick Graydon
• Elisabeth Strunk

2
The Argument

• Prescribed software development processes do not
  ensure software quality
• Assurance cases (e.g., safety cases) provide a
  mechanism for documenting an assurance argument
• Read position paper
• Listen to Robin Bloomfield

3
Certification and Education

• John Knight

4
Civil Engineering
Large structures very rarely fail Why?
5
Them vs Us

• Civil Engineering
• Extensive science supporting analysis
• Rigorous education
• Mentored, prescribed experience path
• Community of trust
• PE signature
• Learning from failure

• Computer Engineering
• Some science supporting analysis

6
So?

• Certification is not just a technical issue
• Why?
• Sometimes engineers are not aware of
• Their own limitations
• The limitations of their technologies
• New technologythings are moving very fast
• F 22 anyone?
• We have to fix this
• Good technology applied incorrectly is useless

7
What To Do?

• Demand better from high education

8
What To Do?

• Demand better from high education

9
What To Do?

• Demand better from high education

10
What To Do?

• Demand better from high education
• Develop a comprehensive approach to the social
  side of this
• Integrate the industry hiring and preparation
  process with higher education
• Set standards for people and processes at all
  levels