NatVi - A Framework for Agile Software Development, Service-Oriented Architecture and Quality Assurance

Abstract

This research presents the NatVi Framework for Agile Software Development, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), and Quality Assurance (QA). The research took place in a context of profound and rapid changes in business environments that affect the software development environment. Our previous work did a Systematic Literature Review trying to find articles dealing with SOA and Agile and the challenges inherent in this combination of solutions. In order to build the Framework, this work took the shortcomings found in the solutions presented in the papers and further incorporated the necessary QA concept. In this context, the Framework attempts to provide an answer to how to develop software with quality and rapid deliveries in an ever-changing environment, where the traditional forms of software development may not handle it. Background research identified trade-offs among SOA, QA, and Agile, e.g., formality, documentation, and planning. The background research also identified strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in papers that addressed solutions to problems that arise in software development in the presented context. The results of the background research were assessed and exploited in Framework construction. In a single life-cycle, the NatVi Framework combines Agile, SOA, and QA and addresses the values and principles that guide them in 13 phases distributed in four layers. Each phase is carried out by people who perform specific roles, expressed in terms of inputs, tasks, and outputs. As a Framework, it is not exhaustive, and its main concepts may change and adapt to each environment. The Framework validation is underway, and a forthcoming paper will present the results.