Fault tree developed by an object-based method improves requirements specification for safety-related systems

Fault tree analysis is frequently used to improve system reliability and safety. To be suitable for analysis of software in computerised safety-related systems, it has to be modified accordingly. This paper presents a new application: the fault tries developed by an object-based method. The object-based method integrates structural and behavioural models of a system. The developed fault tree includes information on structure and the failure behaviours of classes of the system. Away from traditional use of the fault tree, which for traditional systems emphasises qualitative and quantitative results, the result of the new application emphasises the process of fault toe development and its qualitative results. Such fault tree application reduces the probability of failures in the requirements specification phase within the software life cycle, which increases the reliability of its product; however, it does not confirm this in a quantitative manner. (C) 1998. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.