Using linear temporal model checking for goal-oriented policy refinement frameworks

Policy refinement is meant to derive lower-level policies from higher-level ones so that these more specific policies are better suited for use in different execution environments. Although it has been recognized as crucial, it has received relatively little attention. We present a policy refinement framework grounded in goal-elaboration methodologies and reactive systems analysis. Through linear-time model checking, we obtain system trace executions aimed at fulfilling lower-level goals refined with the KAOS goal-elaboration method. From system executions, we abstract managed entities, conditions and actions to encode the refined policies. We present our framework and provide a refinement scenario applied to the DiffServ QoS management domain.