A meta‐model of software development project states behavioral study of software projects

Abstract

Software development project during its lifecycle passes through various states. These states describe the condition, status, and behavior of software projects. In the present study, these states are defined based on the various activities performed during project lifecycle like initial environment setup, requirement analysis, coding, testing, problem resolution, and completion.The taxonomy of these states and substates is defined, and a project states meta-model is designed. The meta-model is composed of states and substates of the software projects.Detailed case studies of real projects have been conducted to validate the states of the metamodel. Evidences are collected; and events and observations are recorded about existence of the states, execution flow, duration, and behavior. The evidences, events, and observations are presented in the sequence to translate them into results. Results show that project states exist in all projects such that each software project passes through these states serially and in particular cases, a few states may exist in parallel. Project states show the status and progress of the software projects. It is found that issues in software projects can effectively be resolved by performing micro project management activities of the projects states. Project states meta-model provides basic structure for deriving new models.

Tailoring Agile-Based Software Development Processes

“…The project risks as presented in many existing works have been identified and categorized into three main groups concerning their effect on the progress of the project and performance of the team members. Detailed research work on the project states, risk classes, and client's perspective has been published in the early phases of the present research work [69]. Software process meta-model [8].…”

“…The risk classification has been made based on their effect on team performance and the project's progress. A detailed study on the risk classification and their definitions has been published [69]. These risk classes are the main determinants of the behavior of software projects.…”

“…The detailed work on derivation, definition, behavior, and execution of these states have been published in [69]. These states truly reflect the status and behavior of software projects and are considered an important factor for tailoring software development projects.…”

“…In the present study, client factor and the client's perspective in agile-based software development companies have been investigated. Risks faced by the software projects have been analysed and grouped into three main classes namely performance minor, management critical and progress limiter [69]. Furthermore, investigation and analysis have been made on the states and behavior of the software projects.…”

“…Furthermore, investigation and analysis have been made on the states and behavior of the software projects. The response of the software projects to various factors and problems besides project lifecycle phases have been investigated and a meta-model of software development project states has been developed [69]. Three processes as the key processes in agile methodologies have been derived from the agile principles [71], [72].…”