ComDeco: Composable derivative contracts

Abstract

Designing and valuating derivative contracts belongs to a financial engineer's daily tasks. Their almost unlimited flexibility1 has already created the need for computer-aided techniques – typically spreadsheet-based software solutions. Lacking in-depth software development expertise promotes inflexible prototypes individually developed for each new contract to be designed and valuated. Scalability is worse and time constraints in general prevent deliberate solutions not tied to specific products. ComDeco2 provides a conceptual and technical framework supporting efficient design and valuation methodologies for current and future contracts by adapting and augmenting state of the art software technology concepts. Based on ACTIVE DOCUMENTS, end-user oriented composition styles without the need for programming skills are supported. This paper summarises ComDeco's overall objectives, illustrates how ACTIVE DOCUMENT technology is used in financial engineering, and sketches future directions of work.