A Bayesian belief network for reliability assessment

The objective of this paper is to present work on how a Bayesian Belief Network for a software safety standard, can be merged with a BBN on the reliability estimation of software based digital systems. The results on applying BBN methodology with a software safety standard is based upon previous research by the Halden Project, while the results on the reliability estimation is based on a Master’s Thesis by Helminen. The research is also a part in the more long-term activity by the Halden Reactor Project on the use of BBNs as support for safety assessment of programmable systems. In this report it is discussed how the two approaches can be merged together into one Bayesian Network, and the problems with merging are pinpointed