Toward formal models of software engineering processes

In this paper, a Petri net-based formal specification method for distributed systems is applied to the domain of software process modeling. We introduce domain-specific concepts stressing the distributed and dynamic nature of software processes. Development states are viewed as distributed entities. Development activities are characterized by their effects on software objects, pertinent information exchange with human or technical participants involved, and local changes to development states. These dynamic aspects of software processes are represented as labeled Petri nets. Structuring mechanisms are sketched which support hierarchical decomposition and systematic combinations of separate views of a software engineering process.