Florian Graf

Using Mobile RE Tools to Give End-Users Their Own Voice

Researchers highlight end-user involvement in system design as an important concept for developing useful and usable solutions. However, end-user involvement in software engineering is still an open-ended topic. Novel paradigms such as service-oriented computing strengthen the need for more active end-user involvement in order to provide systems that are tailored to individual end-user needs. Our work is based on the fact that the majority of end-users are familiar with mobile devices and use an increasing number of mobile applications. A mobile tool enabling end-user led requirements elicitation could be just one of many applications installed on end-users’ mobile devices. In this paper, we present a framework of end-user involvement in requirements elicitation which motivates our research. The main contribution of our research is a tool-supported requirements elicitation approach allowing end-users to document needs in situ. Furthermore, we present first evaluation results to highlight the feasibility of on-site end-user led requirements elicitation.

Exploring how to use scenarios to discover requirements

This paper investigates the effectiveness of different uses of scenarios on requirements discovery using results from requirements processes in two projects. The first specified requirements on a new aircraft management system at a regional UK airport to reduce its environmental impact. The second specified new work-based learning tools to be adopted by a consortium of organizations. In both projects scenarios were walked through both in facilitated workshops and in the stakeholders’ workplaces using different forms of a scenario tool. In the second project, scenarios were also walked through with a software prototype and creativity prompts. Results revealed both qualitative and quantitative differences in discovered requirements that have potential implications for models of scenario-based requirements discovery and the design of scenario tools.

Mobile Discovery of Requirements for Context-Aware Systems

Understanding the work context of future system users is essential in requirements engineering. It is particularly crucial when developing ubiquitous systems that react on context changes. This paper discusses the need for in-situ requirements elicitation approaches to build mobile and context-aware systems. We identify three different levels of support: The first level covers contextual techniques without tool support. Second level support is based on existing RE approaches and mobile tools. Third level support utilizes context-aware tools receiving context-specific information to guide analysts in the field. These tools enhance requirements gathering for ubiquitous systems. We present a context-aware tool prototype for on-site scenario walkthroughs and discuss how the underlying scenario-based approach needs to be adapted. Our tool-based approach was tested in an initial evaluation study. Finally, the paper presents requirements for RE approaches supporting ubiquitous system development based on lessons learned from using level II and III tools.

The Mobile Scenario Presenter: A Tool for in situ Requirements Discovery with Scenarios

Scenarios are widely and successfully used to discover requirements for software-intensive systems. Recent advances in mobile computing technologies mean that mobile tools can support scenario-based techniques in the workplace, with potential benefits to requirements processes. To explore this idea we have been developing the Mobile Scenario Presenter (MSP) tool and used it successfully in a number of evaluation studies and projects. The MSP supports analysts working in the field to better understand the work context of a future system s end users. The interactive tool demo allows RE experts to actively use the MSP to explore its capabilities and benefits.

Using Contextual Information to Guide on-site Analysts

Eliciting requirements on-site is challenging as analysts have to simultaneously observe the environment, interact with people and operate RE tools. We have been exploring the use of context-aware technologies to provide better guidance and support for on-site analysts. Our context aware Mobile Scenario Presenter tool guides analysts by automatically highlighting scenario events relevant to the currently observed work task.