Abstract :
The paper examines some of the issues surrounding the introduction of formal methods into an existing software development process, and to explain the circumstances for which it is best suited. We place considerable emphasis on the need to be very careful when introducing a new software development or quality assurance technology, such as formal methods, in order to ensure that it fits in well with existing processes and practice in the organisation in which it is being introduced. The discussion is backed up by reference to the industrial experience of the authors in applying and introducing formal methods to large software and systems developers, particularly in the telecommunications field
