FIT4044 Specification-driven agentic software lifecycle

Advanced Software Engineering: Specification-Driven Agentic Software Lifecycle examines advanced approaches to engineering agentic software systems through the use of formal and executable specifications across the software lifecycle. The unit focuses on how specifications can be used to define, govern, validate, and evolve intelligent and multi-agent systems operating in dynamic environments. Students will explore different forms of specifications, including capability, behavioural, interface, safety, governance, and evaluation specifications, and investigate how these artefacts support reliable, maintainable, and trustworthy software engineering practices.

The unit introduces specification-driven design and development methodologies for agentic and AI-enabled systems, emphasising the role of executable specifications, contract testing, and automated validation in ensuring consistent system behaviour and safe interactions between agents, tools, APIs, and external services. Students will design workflows that integrate specifications into development, testing, deployment, and assurance activities, enabling specifications to function as both design artefacts and enforceable operational constraints.

Through practical and project-based activities, students will develop formal specifications for agents, interfaces, and orchestration mechanisms, while applying contract-based validation and specification-driven testing approaches to complex software ecosystems. The unit also explores the engineering of safety mechanisms, guardrails, governance controls, and compliance requirements as enforceable system specifications to support accountability, reliability, and responsible deployment of agentic systems.