In software process we are developing the Balboa toolset for discovering and validating process models from basic process data. The ProcessWall effort is supporting process execution emphasizing process formalism interoperability and distribution. Our general problem solving approach is one of definition, prototyping, validation, integration, and iteration. Our process moves from defining conceptual solutions to embodying those solutions in prototype systems. We validate using ourselves and, where feasible, external groups.
Validation uncovers deficiencies in our prototypes and our ideas.
We take the lessons from validation to revise and enhance our concepts and iterate the process. At those points where we believe we have a usable and relatively stable prototype, we release it to the larger community for additional validation and for use in real projects. A revised Sybil architecture was completed and reflected into the prototype implementation. The changes allow Sybil to better handle non-traditional data systems such as flat file systems and databases with ad hoc data models. Work has begun on two applications of Sybil.