Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Two Decades of Assurance Case Tools: A Survey

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Computer Safety, Reliability, and Security (SAFECOMP 2018)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 11094))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

In regulated safety-critical domains, such as the aerospace and nuclear domains, certification bodies often require systems to undergo a stringent safety assessment procedure to show their compliance to one or more safety standards. Assurance cases are an emerging way of communicating safety of a safety-critical system in a structured and comprehensive manner. Due to the significant complexity of the required materials, software tools are often used as a practical way of constructing assurance cases. This paper presents the first, to the best of our knowledge, systematic review of assurance case tools. Specifically, we provide a comprehensive list of assurance case tools developed over the past 20 years and an analysis of their functionalities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The literature search was conducted in the dates between 02.02.2018 - 19.02.2018.

  2. 2.

    Carried out on 25.02.2018.

  3. 3.

    A table listing more information about each evaluated tool, such as where it was produced, how it was discovered, a link to the tool, its availability, its supported notations and domain, can be accessed at goo.gl/A4yWs9.

References

  1. AssureNote. https://github.com/AssureNote/AssureNote

  2. Impact case study - University of York. https://impact.ref.ac.uk/CaseStudies/CaseStudy.aspx?Id=43445

  3. PREEVision. https://vector.com/vi_preevision-iso26262_en.html

  4. SMS Pro. https://www.asms-pro.com/Modules/SafetyAssurance/SafetyCaseStudy.aspx

  5. TurboAC. http://www.gessnet.com/products

  6. Goal Structuring Notation Working Group: GSN Community Standard Version 1, November 2011. http://www.goalstructuringnotation.info/

  7. Object Management Group: Structured Assurance Case Metamodel (SACM) version 1.0. Formal, 01 February 2013 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kitchenham, B.: Guidelines for Performing Systematic Literature Reviews in Software Engineering. Technical rep. EBSE-2007-01, EBSE (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Aiello, M.A., Hocking, A.B., Knight, J.C., Rowanhill, J.C.: SCT: a safety case toolkit. In: Proceedings ISSRE 2014 Workshops, pp. 216–219 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Allan, J., Williams, J., Gander-Miller, G., Turner, M., Ballantyne, T., Harvey, J.: Safety case production. WIT Trans. Built Environ. 37 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Althammer, E., Schoitsch, E., Eriksson, H., Vinter, J.: The DECOS concept of generic safety cases - a step towards modular certification. In: Proceedings of SEAA 2009, pp. 537–545 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ankrum, T.S., Kromholz, A.H.: Structured assurance cases: three common standards (presentation). In: Proceedings of HASE 2005, pp. 99–108 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Barry, M.R.: CertWare: a workbench for safety case production and analysis. In: Proceedings of Aerospace Conference 2011, pp. 1–10 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bjornander, S., Land, R., Graydon, P., Lundqvist, K., Conmy, P.: A method to formally evaluate safety case arguments against a system architecture model. In: Proceedings of ISSREW 2012, pp. 337–342 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bloomfield, R., Bishop, P.: Safety and assurance cases: past, present and possible future – an adelard perspective. In: Dale, C., Anderson, T. (eds.) Making Systems Safer, pp. 51–67. Springer, London (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-086-1_4

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  16. Calinescu, R., Weyns, D., Gerasimou, S., Iftikhar, M.U., Habli, I., Kelly, T.: Engineering trustworthy self-adaptive software with dynamic assurance cases. IEEE TSE PP(99), 1–30 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cârlan, C., Barner, S., Diewald, A., Tsalidis, A., Voss, S.: ExplicitCase: integrated model-based development of system and safety cases. In: Tonetta, S., Schoitsch, E., Bitsch, F. (eds.) SAFECOMP 2017. LNCS, vol. 10489, pp. 52–63. Springer, Cham (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66284-8_5

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  18. Cimatti, A., DeLong, R., Marcantonio, D., Tonetta, S.: Combining MILS with contract-based design for safety and security requirements. In: Koornneef, F., van Gulijk, C. (eds.) SAFECOMP 2015. LNCS, vol. 9338, pp. 264–276. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24249-1_23

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  19. Cruanes, S., Hamon, G., Owre, S., Shankar, N.: Tool integration with the evidential tool bus. In: Giacobazzi, R., Berdine, J., Mastroeni, I. (eds.) VMCAI 2013. LNCS, vol. 7737, pp. 275–294. Springer, Heidelberg (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35873-9_18

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  20. Denney, E., Pai, G.: Tool support for assurance case development. J. Autom. Softw. Eng. 25(3), 435–499 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Fujita, H., Matsuno, Y., Hanawa, T., Sato, M., Kato, S., Ishikawa, Y.: DS-bench toolset: tools for dependability benchmarking with simulation and assurance. In: Proceedings of DSN 2012, pp. 1–8 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Fung, N.L.S., Kokaly, S., Di Sandro, A., Salay, R., Chechik, M.: MMINT-A: a tool for automated change impact assessment of assurance cases. In: Proceedings of SAFECOMP 2018 Workshops. Springer (2018, accepted for publication)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Gacek, A., Backes, J., Cofer, D., Slind, K., Whalen, M.: Resolute: an assurance case language for architecture models. In: Proceedings HILT 2014, pp. 19–28 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Górski, J., Jarzębowicz, A., Miler, J., Witkowicz, M., Czyżnikiewicz, J., Jar, P.: Supporting assurance by evidence-based argument services. In: Ortmeier, F., Daniel, P. (eds.) SAFECOMP 2012. LNCS, vol. 7613, pp. 417–426. Springer, Heidelberg (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33675-1_39

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  25. Groza, A., Marc, N.: Consistency checking of safety arguments in the goal structuring notation standard. In: Proceedings of ICCP 2014, pp. 59–66 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Huhn, M., Zechner, A.: Analysing dependability case arguments using quality models. In: Buth, B., Rabe, G., Seyfarth, T. (eds.) SAFECOMP 2009. LNCS, vol. 5775, pp. 118–131. Springer, Heidelberg (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04468-7_11

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  27. Kawakami, H., Ott, D., Wong, H.C., Dahab, R., Gallo, R.: ACBuilder: a tool for hardware architecture security evaluation. In: Proceedings of HOST 2016, pp. 97–102 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kelly, T.P.: Arguing Safety: A Systematic Approach to Managing Safety Cases. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of York, UK (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kelly, T., McDermid, J.: A systematic approach to safety case maintenance. J. Reliab. Eng. Syst. Saf. 1(3), 271–284 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Laibinis, L., Troubitsyna, E., Prokhorova, Y., Iliasov, A., Romanovsky, A.: From requirements engineering to safety assurance: refinement approach. In: Li, X., Liu, Z., Yi, W. (eds.) SETTA 2015. LNCS, vol. 9409, pp. 201–216. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25942-0_13

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  31. Larrucea, X.: Modelling and certifying safety for cyber-physical systems: an educational experiment. In: Proceedings of SEAA 2016, pp. 198–205 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Larrucea, X., Walker, A., Colomo-Palacios, R.: Supporting the management of reusable automotive software. IEEE Softw. J. 34(3), 40–47 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Lautieri, S., Cooper, D., Jackson, D., Cockram, T.: Assurance cases: how assured are you? In: Proceedings of DSN 2004 Supplemental Volume (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Lewis, R.: Safety case development as an information modelling problem. In: Dale, C., Anderson, T. (eds.) Safety-Critical Systems: Problems, Process and Practice, pp. 183–193. Springer, London (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-349-5_12

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  35. Luo, Y., van den Brand, M., Li, Z., Saberi, A.: A systematic approach and tool support for GSN-based safety case assessment. J. Syst. Archit. 76(pp), 1–16 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Luo, Y., van den Brand, M., Kiburse, A.: Safety case development with SBVR-based controlled language. In: Desfray, P., Filipe, J., Hammoudi, S., Pires, L.F. (eds.) MODELSWARD 2015. CCIS, vol. 580, pp. 3–17. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27869-8_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  37. Matsuno, Y., Takamura, H., Ishikawa, Y.: A dependability case editor with pattern library. In: Proceedings of HASE 2010, pp. 170–171 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Matsuno, Y.: D-case communicator: a web based GSN editor for multiple stakeholders. In: Tonetta, S., Schoitsch, E., Bitsch, F. (eds.) SAFECOMP 2017. LNCS, vol. 10489, pp. 64–69. Springer, Cham (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66284-8_6

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  39. Nair, S., Walkinshaw, N., Kelly, T., de la Vara, J.L.: An evidential reasoning approach for assessing confidence in safety evidence. In: Proceedings of ISSRE 2015, pp. 541–552 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Netkachova, K., Netkachov, O., Bloomfield, R.: Tool Support for assurance case building blocks. In: Koornneef, F., van Gulijk, C. (eds.) SAFECOMP 2015. LNCS, vol. 9338, pp. 62–71. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24249-1_6

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  41. Newton, A., Vickers, A.: The benefits of electronic safety cases. In: Redmill, F., Anderson, T. (eds.) The Safety of Systems, pp. 69–82. Springer, London (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-806-7_5

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  42. Ratiu, D., Zeller, M., Killian, L.: Safety.Lab: model-based domain specific tooling for safety argumentation. In: Koornneef, F., van Gulijk, C. (eds.) SAFECOMP 2015. LNCS, vol. 9338, pp. 72–82. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24249-1_7

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  43. Retouniotis, A., Papadopoulos, Y., Sorokos, I., Parker, D., Matragkas, N., Sharvia, S.: Model-connected safety cases. In: Bozzano, M., Papadopoulos, Y. (eds.) IMBSA 2017. LNCS, vol. 10437, pp. 50–63. Springer, Cham (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64119-5_4

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  44. Sabetzadeh, M., Falessi, D., Briand, L., Di Alesio, S.: A goal-based approach for qualification of new technologies: foundations, tool support, and industrial validation. J. Reliab. Eng. Syst. Saf. 119(C), 52–66 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Shida, S., Uchida, A., Ishii, M., Ide, M., Kuramitsu, K.: Assure-It: a runtime synchronization tool of assurance cases. In: SAFECOMP 2013 FastAbstract (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Zhang, H., Babar, M.A., Tell, P.: Identifying relevant studies in software engineering. J. Inf. Soft. Technol. 53(6), 625–637 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The work reported in this paper has been funded by General Motors and NSERC Canada. The authors thank Mark Lawford, Alan Wassyng and Tom Maibaum for many useful discussions about assurance cases.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Mike Maksimov, Nick L. S. Fung & Marsha Chechik

  2. McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

    Sahar Kokaly

Authors
  1. Mike Maksimov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nick L. S. Fung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sahar Kokaly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marsha Chechik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mike Maksimov .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden

    Barbara Gallina

  2. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Amund Skavhaug

  3. AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    Erwin Schoitsch

  4. Thales Deutschland GmbH, Ditzingen, Germany

    Friedemann Bitsch

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Maksimov, M., Fung, N.L.S., Kokaly, S., Chechik, M. (2018). Two Decades of Assurance Case Tools: A Survey. In: Gallina, B., Skavhaug, A., Schoitsch, E., Bitsch, F. (eds) Computer Safety, Reliability, and Security. SAFECOMP 2018. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 11094. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99229-7_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99229-7_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-99228-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-99229-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation