An Action Research for Improving the Sustainability Assessment Framework Instruments

Abstract

In the last years, software engineering researchers have defined sustainability as a quality requirement of software, but not enough effort has been devoted to develop new methods/techniques to support the analysis and assessment of software sustainability. In this study, we present the Sustainability Assessment Framework (SAF) that consists of two instruments: the software sustainability–quality model, and the architectural decision map. Then, we use participatory and technical action research in close collaboration with the software industry to validate the SAF regarding its applicability in specific cases. The unit of analysis of our study is a family of software products (Geographic Information System- and Mobile-based Workforce Management Systems) that aim to address sustainability goals (e.g., efficient collection of dead animals to mitigate social and environmental sustainability risks). The results show that the sustainability–quality model integrated with the architectural decision maps can be used to identify sustainability–quality requirements as design concerns because most of its quality attributes (QAs) have been either addressed in the software project or acknowledged as relevant (i.e., creating awareness on the relevance of the multidimensional sustainability nature of certain QAs). Moreover, the action–research method has been helpful to enrich the sustainability–quality model, by identifying missing QAs (e.g., regulation compliance, data privacy). Finally, the architectural decision maps have been found as useful to guide software architects/designers in their decision-making process.

Factors Affecting Agile Software Project Success

“…2) SUSTAINABLE SOFTWARE PRODUCT QUALITY Sustainability of a software product is regarded as a nonfunctional requirement in the software engineering literature, and quality attributes of software products have been associated with sustainability [37]. In the studies of Condori-Fernandez and Lago [38], and Condori-Fernandez et al [39], the software sustainability is explained by software product quality attributes defined by ISO/IEC 25010: 2011 quality model [27]. In the current study, sustainability of software product quality is defined by eight characteristics: reliability, security, maintainability, portability, performance efficiency, compatibility, functional suitability, and usability.…”

Assessing the sustainability of university information systems using the D&M IS Success Model

“…For ISs, pertains to their ability to maintain stable performance and function during long-term operation, while continuously adapting to user demands. Moreover, the sustainability of software is closely tied to its evolvability or lifespan (Condori-Fernandez et al, 2020). Achieving persistent success necessitates continuous and iterative updates of the IS, ensuring its consistent alignment with the evolving needs of users over an extended period.…”

Negative UX-Based Approach for Deriving Sustainability Requirements

“…Our SQ model supports the identification of sustainability design concerns, and the quality assessment of software architecture. The list of measurable attributes of the SQ model and corresponding contributions to the four dimensions can be found at [9], which has been empirically evaluated [19,20].…”