  Development of scientific and engineering software is usually different and
could be more challenging than the development of conventional enterprise
software. The authors were involved in a technology-transfer project between
academia and industry which focused on engineering, development and testing of
a software for optimization of pumping energy costs for oil pipelines. Experts
with different skillsets (mechanical, power and software engineers) were
involved. Given the complex nature of the software (a sophisticated underlying
optimization model) and having experts from different fields, there were
challenges in various software engineering aspects of the software system
(e.g., requirements and testing). We report our observations and experience in
addressing those challenges during our technology-transfer project, and aim to
add to the existing body of experience and evidence in engineering of
scientific and engineering software. We believe that our observations,
experience and lessons learnt could be useful for other researchers and
practitioners in engineering of other scientific and engineering software
systems.
