Model-based development (MBD) has been widely used in software development for a long time, and software models are increasingly used in the field of safety analysis. This paper presents a new approach to model-based safety analysis (MBSA) in this area.

The main idea presented is semi-automatic safety analysis and optimization (SASAO). The paper consists of two parts. First, it describes semi-automatic safety analysis, which automatically generates fault tree analysis (FTA) and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) results “based on a manually specified system model including the component-internal error propagation paths.” Second, it includes an optimization extension to the semi-automatic safety analysis, which automatically generates FTA to optimize the cost of the system.

The paper outlines the advantages of SASAO. Safety engineers and safety managers can use the process to perform safety analyses efficiently and correctly. If your organization design is based on a system or software model, you need to consider this approach when performing a safety analysis.