System dynamics modelling of software evolution processes for policy investigation: Approach and example

Abstract This paper describes one of the latest in a series of system dynamics models developed during the Feedback, Evolution And Software Technology (FEAST) investigation into software evolution processes. The intention of early models was to simulate real-world processes in order to increase understanding of such processes. The work resulted in a number of lessons learnt, in particular, with regard to the application of system dynamics to the simulation of key attributes of long-term software evolution. The work reported here combines elements of previous work and extends them by describing an approach to investigate the consequences on long-term evolution, of decisions made by the managers of these processes. The approach is illustrated by discussion of the impact of complexity control activity. This model of the impact on product and global process attributes of decisions regarding the fraction of work applied to progressive and to anti-regressive activities such as complexity control, for instance, exemplifies the results of the FEAST investigation.