Negotiation in network based requirements analysis

Abstract

For each of the stakeholders involved in large-scale, complex and distributed software development processes, some useful support can be provided by recording the argumentation among team members. We describe a system that supports argumentation based on the ARBAS language. A variety of support mechanisms for the capture and use of software development process knowledge are discussed. These include support for the capture, retrieval, and replay of process knowledge as well as mechanisms to maintain the consistency of it. A process View of Supporting Collaboration in Software DevelopmentThe development of systems to support collaboration among system development team members has received much attention in recent research. However, systems that attempt to provide analytical decision support to groups, such as those that employ decision theoretic models assume that the alternatives to solve the decision problem of interest are well understood and the effects or consequences of choosing one or more alternatives are well known. The process of selecting from among alternatives involves using utility functions that take into account the goals in the decisionmaking context. In group decision-making situations, the identification and elaboration of goals (or selection criteria) and alternatives that resolve the issues is very critical for arriving at a consensus or group solution. This often leads to controversies and deliberations to resolve them. We believe that process of the elaboration and refinement of the issues, alternatives and decision criteria itself is an important component of the problem solving and may guide a group towards a solution. Finally, support for facilitating group communication can be most effective if it is based on a process model. Another important component of knowledge about group decision making process is the knowledge about arguments behind the selection of decision criteria and alternatives. In, analytic/decision theoretic approaches, the knowledge about ``rationale'' often get implicitly reflected in the payoff functions associated with alternatives. Furthermore, the assumptions that are embedded in the choice of alternatives and decision criteria are not explicitly captured. This information is essential to ascertain the validity of a decision in a changed context characterized by changed assumptions. Systems that aim to support communication focus on supporting information structuring and exchange rather than on reasoning with the information. Their emphasis is on capture and communication of information, rather than providing intelligent decision support with the captured and exchanged information.Our research addresses these issues by providing a framework and mechanisms to facilitate information exchange and communication among group members based on a model of the group decision making process. Our group decision support system provides a mechanism for conducting deliberations on the actions and their impact on resources and maintains this knowledge in a context characterized by c...