Lessons Learned from a Successful Implementation of Formal Methods in an Industrial Project

Abstract.This paper describes the lessons we learned over a thirteen year period while helping to develop the shutdown systems for the nuclear generating station at Darlington, Ontario, Canada. We begin with a brief description of the project and then show how we modified processes and notations developed in the academic community so that they are acceptable for use in industry. We highlight some of the topics that proved to be particularly challenging and that would benefit from more in-depth study without the pressure of project deadlines.