Delaying Inconsistency Resolution Using Fuzzy Logic

While developing complex systems, software engineers generally have to deal with various kinds of inconsistencies. Certain kinds of inconsistencies are inevitable, for instance, in case of multiple persons working independently of each other within the same project. Some inconsistencies are desirable when, for instance, alternative solutions exist for the same problem, and these solutions have to be preserved to allow further refinements along the development process. Current software development methods do not provide adequate means to model the desired inconsistencies and, therefore, aim to resolve the inconsistencies whenever they are detected. Although early resolution of inconsistencies reduces complexity of design by eliminating possible alternatives, it results in loss of information and excessive restriction of the design space. This paper aims to enhance the current methods by modelling and controlling the desired inconsistencies through the application of fuzzy logic.