Certus: glimpses of a centre for research-based innovation in software verification and validation

Abstract

What is gratifying to a software engineering researcher? Three of many possible answers to this question are (a) the in- tellectual exercise in developing/disseminating approaches that address novel challenges (b) recognition from impact in a community of researchers (c) widespread use of novel ideas, including software, in the society at large leading to enhancement of human ability and job creation. A culmina- tion of these sources requires an organizational effort. This article presents glimpses of a research-based innovation cen- tre, Certus, to facilitate such a culmination for software engi- neering researchers. Certus has established a body of knowl- edge, methods and tools for the validation and verication (V&V) of software systems in the local Norwegian indus- try. Certus works in close cooperation with five founding user partners and is hosted by the Simula Research Labo- ratory. We present the organizational structure of Certus and describe how Certus's life and health is planned and evaluated on a regular basis as a research-based innovation centre. We hope that this document will serve as a ba- sis to encourage national/international funding schemes to create call for proposals for long-term research-based inno- vation centres. This, we believe, is one way to justify use of tax payers resources in creating a win-win situation for the triple helix: government, researchers and industry.