LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Faulty software raises red flags for miners — Engineers should be involved in design process

I must commend Brian Hester for highlighting problems he has encountered using packaged software in geophysics (“Software can affect geostats,” T.N.M., Dec. 7-13/98).

As a member of the Council of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), I know that this is an area of concern for the association. The PEO has published Guidelines on the Use of Computer Software Tools by Professional Engineers and the Development of Computer Software Affecting Public Safety and Welfare. As a regulating body, it is the PEO’s position that licensed engineers, as responsible professionals, must make every effort to assure themselves of the integrity of the tools they use to achieve their results.

It is possible, however, that existing computer software of all sorts contains mistakes that have the potential to cause harm to public health, safety and welfare, and not everyone may be as well-equipped to find them as Mr. Hester. As the organization that sets standards for, and regulates, the engineering profession in the public interest, PEO is concerned about the development and testing of software before it is marketed. An internal task force has been struck to determine the appropriate role for professional engineers in software design.

Some of the issues this task force is studying include the extent to which standards and accountability exist for software designers, and whether there are widely accepted best practices within the software development industry.

It is hoped that this initiative will lead to a better understanding of the circumstances in which professional engineers need to be involved in software design to ensure that the public interest is protected. PEO also anticipates producing additional guidelines for licensed engineers working in this non-traditional and rapidly evolving field.

Barry Bradford, P.Eng.

New Liskeard, Ont.