Requirements engineering for product families

ABSTRACT

In search for improved software quality and high productivity, software reuse has become a key research area. One of the most promising reuse approaches is product families. However, current practices in requirements engineering do not support product families. This paper describes a definition hierarchy method for requirements capturing, structuring, analysis and documentation. This method helps to identify architectural drivers of the product family and shows how different products in the family vary.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

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

General Terms:
Design, Management, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
design, product family, product line, quality attributes, requirements engineering