Ontology Guided Evolution of Complex Embedded Systems Projects in the Direction of MDA

Implementation of MDA in large, product developing organizations involves changing processes, practices, tools, and communication infrastructures. The paper presents a case study, in which modeling related needs of a unit within Ericsson were compared to features of current and envisioned MDA tools, using qualitative methods. The paper's main contribution is an ontology defining areas and sub-areas of improvement associated with the introduction of MDA in complex embedded systems projects. The ontology is grounded in interviews with senior modellers at Ericsson and in survey publications from within the field of MDA. It identifies 26 improvement areas concerned with model content, modeling activities, and the management of modeling projects. The ontology has been presented to stakeholders within the unit studied, with positive feedback: appreciated were its groundedness, traceability, holistic scope, and potential as platform and checklist for several recurrent analysis and communication tasks related to software process improvement within Ericsson.

[1]  Bernhard Rumpe,et al.  Model-driven Development of Complex Software : A Research Roadmap , 2007 .

[2]  Robert Phaal,et al.  Technology roadmapping—A planning framework for evolution and revolution , 2004 .

[3]  Alexander Styhre,et al.  Collaborative Research in Organizations , 2004 .

[4]  Seija Komi-Sirviö,et al.  Development and evaluation of software process improvement methods , 2004 .

[5]  Geoff Walsham,et al.  Interpretive case studies in IS research: nature and method , 1995 .

[6]  Ivar Jacobson,et al.  Object-oriented software engineering - a use case driven approach , 1993, TOOLS.

[7]  Anselm L. Strauss,et al.  Basics of qualitative research : techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory , 1998 .

[8]  Reidar Conradi,et al.  Empirical Methods and Studies in Software Engineering , 2003, Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

[9]  R. Yin.  Case Study Research: Design and Methods , 1984 .

[10]  Anna Börjesson.  Making Software Process Improvement Happen , 2006 .

[11]  Markus Völter,et al.  Model-Driven Software Development: Technology, Engineering, Management , 2006 .

[12]  Claes Wohlin,et al.  Empirical Research Methods in Software Engineering , 2003, ESERNET.

[13]  Ivar Jacobson,et al.  Object Oriented Development in an Industrial Environment , 1987, OOPSLA.

[14]  Frank Weil,et al.  Model-Driven engineering in a large industrial context — motorola case study , 2005, MoDELS'05.

[15]  Vladan Devedzic,et al.  Ontology Modeling and MDA , 2005, J. Object Technol..

[16]  Roberto Saracco,et al.  SDL - CCITT Specification and Description Language , 1982, IEEE Transactions on Communications.

[17]  R vanRees,et al.  Clarity in the usage of the terms ontology, taxonomy and classification , 2003 .