Title: Modelling and learning controlled flexibility in software processes

Authors: Ricardo Martinho, Joao Varajao, Dulce Domingos

Addresses: Department of Informatics Engineering, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Rua General Norton de Matos, Apartado 4133, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal. ' Centro ALGORITMI, Department of Engineering, University of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Apartado 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal. ' Department of Informatics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract: Software processes are dynamic entities that are often changed and evolved by skilful knowledge workers such as software development team members. Consequently, flexibility is one of the most important features within software process representations and related tools. However, in the everyday practice, team members do not wish for total flexibility. They rather prefer to learn about and follow previously defined advices on which, where and how they can change/adapt process representations. In this paper, we present FlexSPMF: a framework for modelling controlled flexibility in software processes. It comprises three main contributions: 1) identifying a core set of flexibility concepts; 2) extending a process modelling language|s (PML) metamodel with these concepts; 3) providing modelling resources to this extended PML. This enables process engineers to define and publish software process models with additional (textual/graphical) flexibility information. Other team members can then visualise and learn about this information and change processes accordingly.

Keywords: software processes; controlled flexibility; software development; team working; previously defined advice; process representations; FlexSPMF; modelling frameworks; learning flexibility; core concepts; process modelling language; metamodels; process engineering; textual information; graphical information; knowledge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2009.031507

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2009 Vol.5 No.5/6, pp.423 - 442

Published online: 08 Feb 2010 *

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