Value-Based Elicitation of Product Line Variability: An Experience Report

Understanding and modeling the variability of an existing system is a highly critical and challenging task when adopting a product line approach. Only little guidance is available for identifying the variable elements in a complex system and for choosing the appropriate level of granularity for modeling. Also, product line engineers have to find a balance between the technically feasible variability and the externally visible variability reflecting the business perspective of an organization. In this paper we describe experiences in developing and applying a value-based process for eliciting product line variability which aims at integrating the technical and business perspectives in product line engineering. We developed the process in a series of workshops carried out with our industry partner Siemens VAI, the world's leading company in plant building for the iron, steel, and aluminum industries.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: VAMOS
• Authors: Rick Rabiser, Deepak Dhungana, Paul Grünbacher, Benedikt Burgstaller
• Keywords: Product Line, Product Line Approach, Product Line Variability, Software Engineering, VAMOS 2008