Prasanta K. Bose

Software Requirements Negotiation and Renegotiation Aids: A Theory-W Based Spiral Approach

A major problem in requirements engineering is obtaining requirements that address the concerns of multiple stakeholders. An approach to such a problem is the Theory-W based Spiral Model. This paper focuses on the problem of developing a support system for such a model. In particular it identifies needs and capabilities required to address the problem of negotiation and renegotiation that arises when the model is applied to incremental requirements engineering. The paper formulates elements of the support system, called WinWin, for providing such capabilities. The key elements of WinWin are described and their use in incremental requirements engineering are demonstrated, using an example renegotiation scenario from the domain of software engineering environments, for satellite ground stations.

A collaborative spiral software process model based on Theory W

A primary difficulty in applying the spiral model has been the lack of explicit process guidance in determining the prospective systems objectives, constraints, and alternatives that get elaborated in each cycle. This paper presents an extension of the spiral model, called the Next Generation Process Model (NGPM), which uses the Theory W(win-win) approach (Boehm-Ross, 1989) to converge on a systems next-level objectives, constraints, and alternatives. The refined Spiral Model explicitly addresses the need for concurrent analysis, risk resolution definition, and elaboration of both the software product and the software process in a collaborative manner. This paper also describes some of the key elements of the support system developed based on the model and refined through experiments with it. It reports on experiences in applying NGPM to a large Department of Defense program.<<ETX>>

A model for decision maintenance in the WinWin collaboration framework

Cost-effective engineering and evolution of complex software must involve the different stakeholders concurrently and collaboratively. The hard problem is providing computer support for such collaborative activities. The WinWin approach being developed and experimented at the USC Center for Software Engineering provides a domain independent solution for the stakeholders to cooperate in the requirements engineering phase of the software lifecycle. A major problem confronted in the WinWin framework is aiding decision coordination-coordinating the decision making activities of the stakeholders. A key element in supporting decision coordination is decision maintenance. As decisions undergo evolution, the effects of such changes on existing decision elements must be determined and the decision structure appropriately revised. The paper presents an approach to addressing the problem of supporting decision maintenance. The key ideas involve a) defining an extended ontology for decision rationale, that models the WinWin decision space and their states, b) formally describing a theory based on that ontology that specify conditions for states to hold, and c) defining an agent that utilizes the theory to determine revisions and coordinate with other agents to propagate revisions in a distributed support framework.

Critical success factors for knowledge-based software engineering applications

A key problem in KBSE is evaluating the utility of KBSA tools. This paper analyzes the utility of ten KBSA prototype applications that were developed as part of an advanced course. Based on this analysis, we hypothesis three new critical success factors for explaining their utility. The factors identify key elements of KBSA tools that contribute towards their utility.<<ETX>>

Humans and process frameworks: some critical process elements

Successful engineering of complex software systems require humans to engage collaboratively in multiple critical process elements. This paper identifies those necessary process elements and defines WinWin, a collaborative process model that addresses the process elements. It briefly describes a process support system for the WinWin model.