Decision support for customization of the COTS selection process

ABSTRACT

Software technologies need to be customized to make them effective and efficient for a specific context. In this position paper, we consider the customization of the COTS selection process. We have developed a methodology which customizes the selection process based on the actual project domain characteristics (PDCs) including attributes such as available effort or project criticality. The customization of the process is done at both the process level and the activity level. We suggest a hybrid approach that integrates formalized knowledge with human expertise. This principle has already been successfully used in the context of the software release planning. The advantage is two-fold: Firstly, we exploit the existing empirical results related to different stages of the COTS selection process. Secondly, we facilitate involvement of human judgment to determine most appropriate decisions among the ones proposed by the formalized and knowledge-based solution techniques.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.3 Software Management
          Subjects: Software selection

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Management

Keywords:
COTS, RACE, customizable method, hybrid decision support, selection