# SENSE: A Flow-Down Semantics-Based Requirements Engineering Framework
## 5 Discussion  
The proposed SENSE framework incorporates a minimum use of natural language with a formal method based on boilerplates. Hence, the approach provides a holistic framework that deals not only with functional and non-functional properties but also takes into account indirect, incomplete, or inconsistent cases that could affect the long-term behavior of a (developed) system. As a result, SENSE not only builds a set of requirements but provides an assistant that supports engineers in avoiding risks and uncertainties that could lead to high costs and late (software) delivery issues. It is strongly believed that tools, such as SENSE, can lead to sustainable engineering, which is actually the main aim of the proposed approach. SENSE can even be considered as a guideline tool that can assist software developers in the elicitation of sustainability requirements and the testing of software against these requirements if an appropriate domain ontology is used. This could be achieved as SENSE allows engineers to easily analyze their projects from the first design phase while paying attention to different sustainability dimensions, using an ontology and the validation checks provided by SENSE.  
All-in-all, the SENSE approach enables the goals and objectives of the stakeholders to be revealed as boilerplates, and validity checks reveal the requirements in a solid way. Furthermore, everything can be documented, as boilerplates shift requirement development in a semi-formal procedure, which, although it is usually undervalued, is absolutely needed for both the implementation and the system operation monitoring purposes. Additionally, the approach supports steps that ensure clarity and transparency while avoiding assumptions (validity checks act as a safety valve), making the work of engineers easier and the system development more efficient. In this context, even if a requirement is not explicitly said or noticed by the experts and engineers, SENSE will reveal it. Another advantage is that engineers will be able to clarify what is actually an expert's wish rather than a goal. This will help them remain agile throughout the system development and better understand the necessary requirements. Finally, engineers can develop a valid set of requirements that can be used to get approval and explicit confirmation before starting to implement the system, minimizing misunderstanding and later modification costs.  
Possible applications of SENSE could include cases where teams are building complex systems and products or when roles, processes, and requirement testing is required. SENSE, providing simplicity and customization, can be used by small businesses (such as start-ups) up to even larger companies that require better traceability and requirement management. In this context, SENSE can be used in an individual dimension when a single person is willing to develop a system for personal use or in a social dimension where conflicting interests should be taken into account by engineers in requirement defining. Of course, SENSE is mainly oriented to artificial systems, aiming at long-term maintenance and evolution. A non-extensible list of applications would include waste management and energy consumption applications as well as cloud-based, Internet of Things (IoT) and Semantic Web applications.