Software Engineering Task Force - Terms of Reference





Please found below an updated version of the proposed Software Engineering
Task Force terms of reference for discussion at this week's telecon. Having
had a number of discussions about this recently with several of my
Technical Architect colleagues, I have added the term Ontology Driven
Architectures (ODA)  to encapsulate thinking on semantically enriching MDA.

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Name: Software Engineering Task Force
Status: Pending

Coordinator(s):
Phil Tetlow             <philip.tetlow@uk.ibm.com>
Jeff Pan          <pan@cs.man.ac.uk>

Members
Michael Uschold,  <michael.f.uschold@boeing.com>
Chris Welty       <christopher.welty@us.ibm.com>
Aditya A Kalyanpur      <adityak@wam.umd.edu>
Alan Rector             <rector@cs.man.ac.uk>
Evan Wallace            <ewallace@cme.nist.gov>
Deborah L. McGuinness   <dlm@ksl.stanford.edu>

Invited Experts
Grady Booch       <gbooch@us.ibm.com>

Objectives
To investigate potential synergies between the Semantic Web and domains
more traditionally associated with Software Engineering. This is to enable
the promotion and cross-pollination of both new and established ideas
between the two communities, potentially relating to:
o     Use cases,
o     The application of models, patterns and frameworks,
o     Methods and tools,
o     Underpinning technologies;
o     Best practice.

The scope of this Task Force will be deliberately wide in order to
encourage and capture novel thought and encompass the broad spectrum of
interests categorised under the general heading of Software Engineering.

Short-term objectives
o     To collect, collate and validate a list of potential ideas and uses
for the Semantic Web in Software Engineering and to make this list publicly
available.
o     To evaluate new ideas and uses with an eye for creation of notes
recommending inclusion in future standards activities.
o     To further evaluate ideas already presented to the Semantic Web Best
Practices Working Group. These include:-
o     The potential for Ontology Driven Software Engineering, Ontology
Driven Architectures (ODA) and the crossover between Ontology Engineering
and Software Engineering,
o     The use of composite identification schemes on the Semantic Web and
their potential use for ‘ontology joining’ and the reduction of ambiguity
across the Software Lifecycle,
o     The construction of dynamic self-organising applications using
Semantic Web technologies;
o     The use of Semantic Web Technologies to produce highly
adapted/adaptive (user) interfaces and support tools.
Long-term objectives
o     To promote the wider use of the Semantic Web in Information
Technology
o     To stimulate interest in the use of the Semantic Web in Software
Engineering by acting as a repository for synergy-based ideas.
o     To encourage dialog between traditional software and Semantic Web
developers.
o     To promote development of supporting tooling

Approach
It is hoped that initial ideas and topics for discussion will be generated
internally within the SWBP working group and that this work will eventually
stimulate input for the wider W3C community and contributing organisations
and institutions. As such there is an aspiration that this Task Force will
act as an early catalyst for the promotion and pragmatic deployment of the
Semantic Web in the global IT industry.

Because of the broad ambition of this Task Force it is intended to restrict
the submission of ideas to W3C members and affiliated organisations.

The Task Force will operate for the remaining duration of the Semantic Web
Best Practices Working Group

Scope
o     Ideas presented by W3C members and the associated affiliated
organisations during the lifespan of the Semantic Web Best Practices
Working Group.

Out of Scope
o     Ideas from non-W3C member organisations or individuals.
o     Ontology patterns and engineering, although output from the OEP Task
Force may well feed into this work activity
o     Existing applications and demos, as outlined in the objectives of the
ADTF

Deliverables
o     A publicly available list of validated ideas and potential uses for
the Semantic Web in Software Engineering
o     Appropriate notes and/or recommendations resulting from the
evaluation of ideas submitted to the list


Regards


Phil Tetlow
Senior Consultant
IBM Business Consulting Services
Mobile. (+44) 7740 923328

Received on Monday, 29 November 2004 09:39:44 UTC