Using Complementary Models-Based Approaches for Representing and Analysing ATM Systems' Variability

Abstract : Large-Scale Socio-Technical Systems, such as Air Traffic Management (ATM), are organizations where different interconnected systems work together to achieve a common goal. Analysis of variability is particularly challenging in these systems of systems due to the non-linear and complex interactions among social and technical functions. This paper proposes a systematic approach able to represent and to reason about the variability of such socio-technical systems. The proposed approach is based on the synergistic use of 3 models able to represent the variability from different points of view. This federation of models focusses the analysis on the relevant aspects of the systems of systems at different levels of granularity. The models taken into account for the representation of system variability are FRAM [12] focusing on organizational functions, HAMSTERS [17], which is centred on human goals and activities and ICO [20] which is dedicated to the representation of systems' behaviour (including the user interface). The paper presents a detailed development process describing how the models are built and analysed. This process is exemplified on a case study involving the AMAN (Arrival MANager) system.