Automated Test Case Generation from Requirements: A Systematic Literature Review

Software testing is an important and cost intensive activity in software development. The major contribution in cost is due to test case generations. Requirement-based testing is an approach in which test cases are derivative from requirements without considering the implementation’s internal structure. Requirement-based testing includes functional and nonfunctional requirements. The objective of this study is to explore the approaches that generate test cases from requirements. A systematic literature review based on two research questions and extensive quality assessment criteria includes studies. The study identifies 30 primary studies from 410 studies spanned from 2000 to 2018. The review’s finding shows that 53% of journal papers, 42% of conference papers, and 5% of book chapters’ address requirements-based testing. Most of the studies use UML, activity, and use case diagrams for test case generation from requirements. One of the significant lessons learned is that most software testing errors are traced back to errors in natural language requirements. A substantial amount of work focuses on UML diagrams for test case generations, which cannot capture all the system’s developed attributes. Furthermore, there is a lack of UML-based models that can generate test cases from natural language requirements by refining them in context. Coverage criteria indicate how efficiently the testing has been performed 12.37% of studies use requirements coverage, 20% of studies cover path coverage, and 17% study basic coverage.     

Theory for classifying equivalences of unified modelling language activity diagrams

Despite the fact that there has been a wide adoption of unified modelling language activity diagrams (UML ADs) for software development, research focusing on the equivalence notions of UML ADs is scarce. To address this area of concern, the author presents a sound theoretical foundation for UML ADs. Through the use of these formal definitions of UML ADs, the author propounds a method which classifies various types of equivalences of UML ADs in a systematic way. The proposed classification, which is the core result of our work, provides a framework that enables the study of the properties and inter-relationships of the equivalences.     

Modelling a maintenance management framework based on PAS 55 standard

This article shows the process of modelling a reference maintenance management framework (MMF) that represents the general requirements of the asset management specification PAS 55. The modelled MMF is expressed using the standardized and publicly available Business Process Modelling (BPM) languages UML 2.1 (Unified Modelling Language) and BPMN 1.0 (BPM Notation). The features of these notations allow to easily integrate the modelled processes into the general information system of an organization and to create a flexible structure that can be quickly and even automatically adapted to new necessities. This article presents a brief review about the usage of UML in maintenance projects, general characteristics of PAS 55, modelling concepts and their applications in the project of modelling the MMF. The arguments underlying the methodology and the choice of UML and BPMN are exposed. The general architecture of the suggested MMF is described and modelled through diagrams elucidating the general operation of PAS 55. From this development is appreciated the operation structure of a software tool that can incorporate MIMOSA standards and that can be made suitable for e‐maintenance functions, as an alternative to the commercial systems. Finally, some conclusions about the modelled framework are presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Defining Characteristics for Product Development Using Quality Function Deployment: A Case Study on Indian Bikes

The success of the company lies in understanding the customer preferences and tastes and anticipating the changes required in existing or new products being offered. This study uses a heuristic approach to formulate the problem of product development using a combination of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) with quality function deployment (QFD) to evaluate the most satisfying design for customer. A case study for selection of a bike has been presented here to illustrate the proposed approach.

The contributions of the article are (a) structuring of the decision problem for assessment of impact of decisions after identification of customer attributes and preferences; (b) assessing strategies to synthesize qualitative and quantitative factors in decision-making, keeping checks on consistency; (c) using the additive synthesis of priorities to accommodate a variety of interactions and transform multidimensional measurements to unidimensional ratio scale; and (d) assessing the impact of the engineering characteristics weights on the priority of the criteria and overall project (v) Validation of the model using case study.     

网络印刷服务平台功能模型的分析及建立

对网络印刷服务平台的功能需求进行了分析,并利用UML建模法为其建立了功能模型。分别选取UML用例图描述了网络印刷服务平台的静态功能,以UML时序图描述了网络印刷服务平台的动态业务流程,二者共同构成网络印刷服务平台的功能模型,为今后网络印刷服务平台的开发提供了依据。     

Business process modelling with stochastic networks

Modelling and analysis of business processes is critical to identify current business processes and to understand the contributions of new processes to the system. The quality of the results obtained by modelling and analysis significantly influences the success of business process reengineering (BPR). Therefore, a constant development in techniques used in business process modelling (BPM) and business process analysis (BPA) is necessary. However, when these proposed techniques are analysed it becomes obvious that they repeat the same basic approach, although a few offer different visions. In BPM development studies, the use of time-activity scheduling is often considered secondary (even neglected). The reason for this is that process modelling may be considered as project management and remain under this label. Many organizations may use these techniques in managing their daily activities if the maturity level and the simplicity of project management techniques are considered. It also enables the modelling of stochastic situations, otherwise not possible to do by any BPM method. In this study an existing business process with network properties is analysed using project scheduling techniques. Thus, business processes are described as networks, modelled and timed by network properties and stochastically analysed using GERT, a project based process scheduling method. Finally the results obtained by GERT are examined using the PERT-path approach.     

TOC-based planning and scheduling model

A case study investigating a reengineering project based on theory of constraints fundamental measurements is presented. Bad bottom line results triggered the project. The main constraint is the market itself. Moreover, a policy constraint encouraging local optima in the planning and scheduling process limits the company from reaching its goal and prevents it from exploiting the market constraint. The paper also discusses briefly a risk analysis of such projects.     

In-house development of scheduling decision support systems: case study for scheduling semiconductor device test operations

Most manufacturing processes can benefit from an automated scheduling system. However, the design of a fast, computerised scheduling system that achieves high-quality results and requires minimal resources is a difficult undertaking. Efficient scheduling of a semiconductor device test facility requires an information system that provides good schedules quickly. Semiconductor device testing is the last stage of the long semiconductor manufacturing process, and therefore is subjected to customer service pressures. The cost of an off-the-shelf computerised scheduling system may be prohibitive for many companies. In addition, many companies are taken aback by other characteristics of off-the-shelf scheduling systems, such as code confidentiality, maintenance costs, and failure rates. We draw upon the literature and our field case to discuss some of the trade-offs between in-house development and off-the-shelf acquisition of software. We describe the in-house design and implementation of a scheduling decision support system for one device test facility. Using the design and implementation process of this system as a case study, we discuss how one facility uses in-house design of systems in a strategic way, as a competitive capability.     

复杂产品开发项目系统化管理方法

为了克服传统的产品工程设计过程与项目开发过程相分割对产品项目开发整体绩效的不良影响,本文提出了一种复杂产品开发项目系统化管理方法。首先,产品工程设计过程用设计结构矩阵来描述并从改善信息流的角度对设计结构矩阵予以优化从而识别出具有迭代关系的活动。具有迭代关系的活动或通过解开迭代关系而变为串行或并行的活动或通过强化其迭代关系而组合成一个单一的活动。基于设计结构矩阵的优化结果是一组数量不多的设计结构矩阵。针对每一个设计结构矩阵构造相应的CPM网络图并计算相应的关键路径以及识别关键活动。然后,通过传统的“赶工计算”或增加关键路径上串行活动的并行度来识别可行的优化项目实施方案。最后,案例分析证明了该方法的可行性和有效性。     

Optimal concurrent product design and process planning based on the requirements of individual customers in one-of-a-kind production

One-of-a-kind production is a new manufacturing paradigm for producing customised products based on the requirements of individual customers while maintaining the quality and efficiency of mass production. This research addresses the issues in optimal concurrent product design and process planning based on the requirements of individual customers. In this work, a hybrid AND-OR graph is developed to model the variations of design configurations/parameters and manufacturing processes/parameters in a generic product family. Since different design configurations and parameters can be created from the same customer requirements, and each design can be further achieved through alternative manufacturing processes and parameters, co-evolutionary genetic programming and numerical optimisation are employed to identify the optimal product design configuration/parameters and manufacturing process/parameters. A case study is introduced to identify the optimal design configuration/parameters and manufacturing process/parameters of custom window products of an industrial company to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed method.     

3G客户关系稳定度建模与应用

为了定量评价使用3G业务的客户与运营商之间的关系,对3G客户的稳定度进行了研究,提出了基于数据挖掘(DM)和层次分析法(AHP)的3G客户关系稳定度模型。将模型应用于某电信公司,得出3G客户稳定度评分分布。该模型为运营商更有效地开展3G客户关系维系及服务等工作提供了有力支撑。     

A method for evaluating functional content in mechatronic systems using optimisation

This paper presents a method to support designers and product planners in determining the functionalities that should be implemented in a product and those that should not. The proposed method identifies the set of customer functions and technical implementations that maximise the potential product profit. The customer functions represent the functionality of the product, and the technical implementations are the hardware and software components needed to realise these functions. For industrial applications, the numbers of possible combinations of customer functions and technical implementations are extremely large. We present a mathematical framework that handles this problem. Furthermore, optimisation is employed to find the set of customer functions that will maximise profit when subjected to a restricted development budget in order to find the best possible business case. The method was evaluated on an industrial case study of active safety systems performed at Volvo Cars. Based on this case study, the proposed method shows a substantial potential compared to the methods presently used.     

Quality Function Deployment Implementation in Construction: A Systematic Literature Review

The construction of new buildings represents a significant investment. The goal of new building construction is to maximize value and minimize cost while staying on time and within budget. Translating customer requirements into engineering terms for new construction design is vital for a construction project to be successful. Quality function deployment has been successfully used in product development to capture the voice of the customer and translate it into engineering characteristics. Quality function deployment then carries these parameters into production and service to ensure the voice of the customer is being met with the final product. The house of quality, a tool within quality function deployment, can provide a means for comparison of owner’s project requirements and the proposed design, along with identifying how the design decisions impact meeting customer requirements and green building requirements. Quality function deployment can effectively link the project phases through design and construction and into operations and maintenance to ensure the owner’s project requirements are met with the final building. This research identifies and categorizes studies of quality function deployment applications in construction. The research method used is a systematic literature review from databases related to quality function deployment in the construction industry published in the periodicals through 2016. The principal findings of implementations, practices, and integrated approaches are then summarized. This article intends to propel further research of quality function deployment in the construction sector.     

基于UML的软件需求用例模板设计

软件需求获取是软件开发中的一个重要步骤,基于UML（Unified Model Language）的Use Case（用例）建模为软件需求获取提供了一种有效的手段．本文扩展了Use Case建模,提出了一个含有l0个域的Use Case设计模板,并对模板中的每个域进行了详细的设计说明,最后用一实例演示了该模板的描述过程．实践证明,使用该模板可以减少书写Use Case的随意性,利于系统分析员之间、系统分析员与用户之间的交流,便于有效地获取软件需求．     

高精度磁头动态性能测试系统的设计

根据市场需求,提出了一套高精度 Maxtor 磁头动态性能测试系统的方案. 设计了系统的架构和硬件部分,并使用 OO、UML 和 COM 组件、NET 等技术对其软件部分进行了开发. 通过调用 Maxtor 公司提供的组件包 MACH,完成了对所设计硬件部分的底层控制电路和机械设备的控制与协调. 在系统测试阶段,通过大量的实际环境测试证明了该方案是有效的.     

非均匀属性水平下的电信套餐优化设计

电信套餐是电信企业通过电信产品的多样化来满足市场中不同顾客群需求的一种有效手段。在电信套餐的设计过程中,如何合理设计套餐的数量和定位细分市场,并选择套餐分档的属性值,是电信企业管理部门的一项重要任务,也是一项复杂的管理决策问题。建立了一种针对非均属性水平的电信套餐设计优化模型,在模型中引入了新产品定位中的顾客选择行为分析的思路和方法,并采用多项式分对数规则来模拟顾客的选择购买行为。同时,在优化模型中考虑了电信套餐的收入长期性、未来收益和资金折现率的影响,强调以最大化顾客终身价值为目标来进行电信套餐方案的优化选择。针对建立的优化模型,设计了遗传算法进行了求解。最后给出了某电信公司套餐的一个实例,对所提的模型和算法进行了计算和验证。     

Classification of model transformation techniques used in UML-based Web engineering

Software development techniques are continuously evolving with the goal of solving the main problems that still affect the building and maintenance of software systems: time, costs and error-proneness. Model-driven engineering (MDE) approaches aim to reduce at least some of these problems providing techniques for the construction of models and the specification of transformation rules, tool support and automatic generation of code and documentation. The method of resolution of MDE is to first build models, which are independent of the platform, transforming them in later stages to technological-dependent models, and to achieve automatic model and code generation based on transformation rules. Web engineering is a domain where model-driven approaches can be used to address evolution and adaptation of Web software to continuously emerging new platforms and changes in technologies. We present an overview of the development process of the Unified Modelling Language (UML)-based Web engineering (UWE) defined as an MDE approach. The main characteristic of UWE is the use of standards including the UML, XML metadata interchange as model exchange, meta-object facility for metamodelling, model-driven architecture and the transformation language query-view-transformation. We focus on the model transformation aspects of the UWE process.     

环境试验设备温湿度校准系统的研制

介绍基于MSC1200的温湿度自动校准系统。以JJF 1101-2003《环境试验设备温度、湿度校准规范》为设计依据,硬件以美国TI公司的MSC1200作为测量、信号处理以及通信核心部件,组成一套多通道高精度温湿度采集仪。按照校准规范的要求设计专用的校准软件,通过RS232接口与温湿度采集仪通信,将测量数据进行显示、绘图、存储,计算并自动生成满足要求的原始记录及校准报告,从而实现校准过程程序化、规范化、自动化,满足计量部门对环境试验设备温湿度校准的需要。     

软件开发项目多技能人力资源均衡调度模型

为了在软件开发项目中同时解决项目活动调度问题和多技能人员指派问题,实现资源均衡分配,本文建立了一个多技能人力资源均衡调度的混合整数规划模型,并以一个软件开发项目为背景开展了算例研究,采用Lingo11软件环境下改良后的分支定界法进行优化求解。优化之后,项目资源强度方差和员工工作量方差大幅度下降。研究结果表明,本文创建的资源均衡调度模型可以显著提高项目周期内员工需求量和员工工作量分配的均衡水平。     

Advanced production scheduling for batch plants in process industries

An Advanced Planning System (APS) offers support at all planning levels along the supply chain while observing limited resources. We consider an APS for process industries (e.g. chemical and pharmaceutical industries) consisting of the modules network design (for long–term decisions), supply network planning (for medium–term decisions), and detailed production scheduling (for short–term decisions). For each module, we outline the decision problem, discuss the specifi cs of process industries, and review state–of–the–art solution approaches. For the module detailed production scheduling, a new solution approach is proposed in the case of batch production, which can solve much larger practical problems than the methods known thus far. The new approach decomposes detailed production scheduling for batch production into batching and batch scheduling. The batching problem converts the primary requirements for products into individual batches, where the work load is to be minimized. We formulate the batching problem as a nonlinear mixed–integer program and transform it into a linear mixed–binary program of moderate size, which can be solved by standard software. The batch scheduling problem allocates the batches to scarce resources such as processing units, workers, and intermediate storage facilities, where some regular objective function like the makespan is to be minimized. The batch scheduling problem is modelled as a resource–constrained project scheduling problem, which can be solved by an efficient truncated branch–and–bound algorithm developed recently. The performance of the new solution procedures for batching and batch scheduling is demonstrated by solving several instances of a case study from process industries.