Software for decision-making support in blast-furnace operation

Experience shows that the successful introduction of automated information systems at metallurgical enterprises largely depends on the technology and software selected. In the present work, the basic technology and software options available are briefly outlined. The starting point is Agile development, which is based on iterative procedures, the dynamic formation of user requirements, and their implementation through constant dialog within working groups consisting of various specialists (users, analysts, programmers, and testers). Iteration corresponds to relatively brief development times (as a rule, months), after which the user is given the next tested version of the software, with new functional properties. The list of additional functional properties in each new version represents user priorities and is drawn from the overall list of requirements before each iteration begins. In each iteration, the following procedures are completed in sequence: verification of the computational algorithm (with the introduction of new variables, where necessary); functional modeling of the system; improvement of subsystem structure; conceptual modeling of the database; generation of a model of the database; loading of the test data in the database; creation of the functional diagrams in the mathematical library; implementation of the subsystem’s client software; testing and debugging of the software; and the development of reference documentation. The Atlassian JIRA system is used to control individual tasks and monitor their overall realization within the process of collective software development. The Atlassian Bitbucket platform provides remote storage for code storage and control of the software version. On the basis of up-to-date approaches to software development, systems that are functional, reliable, east to use, expandable, and integrable may be created. Such systems are characterized by minimum risk and acceptable cost.