A Comparison of Six UML-Based Languages for Software Process Modeling

— Describing and managing activities, resources and constraints of software development processes is a challenging goal for many organizations. A first generation of Software Process Modeling Languages (SPMLs) has appeared in the nineties but failed to gain broad industrial support. Recently however, a second generation of SPMLs appeared, leveraging the strong industrial interest for modeling languages such as the UML. In this article, we propose a comparison of these UML-based SPMLs. While not exhaustive, this comparison concentrates on SPMLs most representative of the various alternative approaches, ranging from UML-based framework specializations to full-blown executable meta-modeling approaches. To support the comparison of these various approaches, we propose a frame gathering a set of requirements for process modeling, such as semantic richness, modularity, executability, conformity to the UML standard, and formality. Beyond discussing the relative merits of these approaches, w...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: TSE
• Authors: Reda Bendraou, Jean-Marc Jézéquel, Marie-Pierre Gervais, Xavier Blanc
• Keywords: Process Modeling, Process Modeling Languages, Software Process, TSE 2010