Models are purposeful abstractions of systems and their environments. They can be used to understand, simulate, and validate complex systems at different abstraction levels. Thus, the use of models is of increasing importance for industrial applications. Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is a development methodology that is based on models, meta-models, and model transformations. The shift from code-centric software development to model-centric software development in MDE opens promising opportunities for the verification and validation (V&V) of software. On the other hand, the growing complexity of models and model transformations requires efficient V&V techniques in the context of MDE.
Objectives

The objective of MoDeVVa is to offer a forum for researchers and practitioners who are working on V&V and/or MDE. The major questions of interest in MoDeVVa revolve around the possible overlaps and mutual benefits of MDE and V&V: How can MDE improve V&V? How can V&V increase the reliability of MDE? These questions span a wide range of topics, all of which are relevant to MoDeVVa.
Topics of MoDeVVa

We welcome contributions in all areas at the intersection of MDE and V&V. This year we would like to encourage papers related to the application of AI techniques for V&V in MDE.

V&V in MDE

• Analysis and V&V of models, meta-models and model transformations.

• V&V in different stages of the development process (requirements, design, code generation, testing, configuration, deployment).

• Reducing the gap between V&V techniques and MDE.

• Integrating V&V into MDE.

• The application and combination of different V&V techniques (e.g., classical testing, static analysis, model checking, deductive approaches, runtime verification) to MDE artifacts.

MDE in V&V

• Defining V&V approaches that rely on MDE.

• Use of models, meta-models, model transformations and modelling languages in V&V.

• Use of model-evolution approaches to enable incremental V&V.

Tools, usability, applications

• Integration between modelling tools and IDEs and formal verification back-ends.

• Tools and techniques that help making use of V&V easier and more applicable to “real-world” problems.

• Tools and techniques that help reduce the semantic gap between V&V formalisms and MDE languages.

• Applications of V&V to MDE.

• Applications of MDE to V&V.

• “Real-world” case studies and applications.

AI-related topics for V&V activities

• Use of Machine Learning (ML) to assist model-based V&V activities (e.g., testing selection, generation and prioritization)

• Current practices/case-studies/experience reports on applying ML-assisted model-based V&V.

• ML-assisted test automation for performance testing.

• AI-enabled frameworks/processes for model-based testing to support V&V activities

• From manual testing to intelligent test automation for V&V activities.

• Tools and techniques using AI for performing V&V activities.

Foundations

• Theoretical frameworks for integration of V&V and MDE.

• Formalisms and theories for the specification and verification of models.

• Formal approaches to models, modelling languages, including DSMLs and MDE in general.

• Modelling relations for checking model conformance and/or refinement.


MDE in Certification and Quality Assurance

• Industrial case studies for application of MDE for quality assurance.

• Model-based process engineering to acquire certification.

• Process engineering to support V\&V activities (in general).
Submissions and Publication

Submitted papers can be either short papers (up to 5 pages) or long papers (up to 10 pages), references included, in IEEE format.

Short papers are aimed at discussing innovative ideas while long papers are aimed at presenting more mature and evaluated research.

As in previous years, all accepted papers will be included in a joint workshop proceedings published by IEEE (which include papers from all workshops).

Papers should be submitted via EasyChair: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=modevva2021

Workshop Format

MoDeVVa 2021 will include an opening keynote, paper presentations and the last session of the day will be dedicated to discussions on the topics presented with the goal of identifying common themes, interesting problems and shared interests and hopefully propose avenues for future research. We anticipate an enjoyable and exciting event where all participants will leave with answers or well- founded doubts on MDE and V&V.