Design Specification Representation and Analysis

Abstract

The conventional structures of decision tables, information networks, and outlines define the current methodology for the representation and use of design specifications. This paper explores the relationships at the interfaces between these three representational tools. New analysis strategies are presented that provide flexibility at the lower boundary of the information network by converting decision tables to subnetworks within the information network and by compressing multiple subtables into larger tables representing higher- level nodes in the network. Both generation and compression of the information network provide flexibility in organizing a specification. The ability to both generate and compress nodes and subnodes establishes a mean of representing all the relations among the data items of a specification and gives one more direct control over the level of detail of the information network. As a direct consequence of the ability to generate new nodes, new classifiers can be progressively attached to the nodes of the subnetwork, as well as to the nodes in the information network. As a result, specification requirements are more logically identified by the outline and requirements and data items which were previously hidden within decision table conditions and actions are now directly accessible from the outline. Conversely, items inconsequential to the outline can be compressed into nodes and removed from the outline. A computer program is presented that implements these network transformations. The program accurately represents the interface between the network and the decision tabl