1.6.2 Formalizing a Structured Natural Language Requirements Specification Notation

Abstract Requirements specification notations are developed by organizations in order to meet their specific needs. For example, the Threads‐Capabilities notation, an in house notation at Raytheon Systems Canada, Ltd., has been developed and used for specifying their complex, large scale, air traffic control systems. It is a semi‐formal, structured, natural language notation. In this work, we investigate how to make this semi‐formal notation more rigorous (i.e., formal) by developing and applying a new formalization process to it. By doing this, we can obtain the advantages of formal methods (precise, unambiguous, automatic generation of test specifications, automated typechecking, etc.) while retaining the style and readability of the original notation. We call the formalized notation the Stimulus Response Requirements Specification (SRRS) notation. Our results have been successful for the specific notation. The formalized notation has been demonstrated to reduce the time and improve the quality of the requirements specifications. There is additional training time, however, needed to learn to use the notation and tools.