Cooperating diverse experts: a methodology to develop quality software for critical decision support systems

Abstract

The problem of developing software for critical systems in the decision support context is considered. The limitations of existing software development methodologies are mentioned and a new methodology, cooperating diverse experts (CDE), is proposed. This new methodology draws upon techniques used in multiple version software and in distributed recovery blocks. The methodology relies upon the ultrareliable development of a parameterizable arbitrator to administer the cooperation of multiple diverse implementations (interpretations) of the decision support problem. CDE may be used to develop a single reliable software module or it may be used as an operational system in which some modules are multiply implemented.