A dashboard-based approach for efficient requirements change management

Requirements gathering and documentation are important first steps for a successful software engineering project. The documented requirements act as a guideline for design and development of software products. Requirements also represent customer expectations for the end product. Since these documented requirements serve important purposes for many stakeholders, managing requirement changes effectively plays a major role in the overall success of any project. Changes in requirements are very common in software engineering and can occur during any phase of software development lifecycle (SDLC). Though the impact of requirement changes differs depending on the SDLC phase in which it occurred, there is almost always a setback that happens in terms of the project timeline. This scenario is common in projects that follow both Agile/Scrum methodology and ones that follow the more traditional Waterfall model. In this report, I will first present two case studies of how requirement changes impacted the timelines of two projects (one following Agile/Scrum methodology and another following Waterfall methodology). In the second part of this report, I will propose and design a user-friendly dashboard, which could be used to speed up the delays caused by changing requirements.Electrical and Computer Engineerin

A Hybrid Method for E-Process Selection

A number of e-Processes (i.e. software processes for developing e-Commerce information systems) are available in industry. It is difficult to select the best suited e-Process for a case at hand. At the same time this selection is important because functionality and quality of any system under development will depend on the instantiated software process. The knowledge required for the selection task cannot be easily realized. That task can be considered as an instance of multi attribute decision making and several of the attributes to consider are likely to conflict with each other. An efficient and effective approach is needed to selecting software processes for developing e-commerce systems. In this paper we propose such an approach. It is hybrid as it rests on case-based reasoning, multi attribute decision making, and social choice methods. To demonstrate how our approach works we briefly discuss a case study

e-Process selection using decision making methods : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The key objective of this research is to develop a selection methodology that can be used to support and aid the selection of development processes for e-Commerce Information Systems (eCIS) effectively using various decision methods. The selection methodology supports developers in their choice of an e-Commerce Information System Development Process (e-Process) by providing them with a few different decision making methods for choosing between defined e-Processes using a set of quality aspects to compare and evaluate the different options. The methodology also provides historical data of previous selections that can be used to further support their specific choice. The research was initiated by the fast growing Information Technology environment, where e-Commerce Information Systems is a relatively new development area and developers of these systems may be using new development methods and have difficulty deciding on the best suited process to use when developing new eCIS. These developers also need documentary support for their choices and this research helps them with these decision-making processes. The e-Process Selection Methodology allows for the comparison of existing development processes as well as the comparison of processes as defined by the developers. Four different decision making methods, the Value-Benefit Method (Weighted Scoring), the Analytical Hierarchy Process, Case-Based Reasoning and a Social Choice method are used to solve the problem of selecting among e-Commerce Development Methodologies. The Value-Benefit Method, when applied to the selection of an e-Process from a set of e-Processes, uses multiple quality aspects. Values are assigned to each aspect for each of the e-Processes by experts. The importance of each of the aspects, to the eCIS, is defined in terms of weights. The selected e-Process is the one with the highest score when the values and weights are multiplied and then summed. The Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to quantify a selection of quality aspects and then these are used to evaluate alternative e-Processes and thus determining the best matching solution to the problem. This process provides for the ranking and determining of the relative worth of each of the quality aspects. Case-Based Reasoning requires the capturing of the resulting knowledge of previous cases, in a knowledge base, in order to make a decision. The case database is built in such a way that the concrete factual knowledge of previous individual cases that were solved previously is stored and can be used in the decision process. Case-based reasoning is used to determine the best choices. This allows the user to either use the selection methodology or the case base database to resolve their problems or both. Social Choice Methods are based on voting processes. Individuals vote for their preferences from a set of e-Processes. The results are aggregated to obtain a final result that indicates which e-Process is the preferred one. The e-Process Selection Methodology is demonstrated and validated by the development of a prototype tool. This tool can be used to select the most suitable solution for a case at hand. The thesis includes the factors that motivated the research and the process that was followed. The e-Process Selection Methodology is summarised as well as the strengths and weaknesses discussed. The contribution to knowledge is explained and future developments are proposed. To conclude, the lessons learnt and reinforced are considered

Modelling of the relationships between Mobile Device Technologies (MDTs) and UK educational practices

This study investigates the state of the art of the concept and practice of Mobile Learning (ML) and the integration of Mobile Device Technologies (MDTs) in educational processes. Using a combination of techniques from Requirement Engineering (RE) and Agent Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE), the domain is explored and analysed for ongoing effectiveness and sustainability. Impressive advances in MDTs have made them pervasive and entrenched in many cultures, systems and in everyday living. In the last decade, the emergent of mobile / handheld devices, and subsequently, wireless technology standards have given rise to the concept of ML. Although MDT was seen by many early on as part of the solutions for learning transformation, quantifying benefits and placement in teaching and learning, either to achieve learning objectives or enhance the process remain problematic. In spite of efforts in the last decade by researchers and educators, expected potentials for learning mobility and adaptability resulting from their use are largely unfulfilled. Rapid changes in development and manufacture also continue to present additional challenges. Most research studies typically employ the approach of evidencing benefits through usage implementations and experimentation. In the review of this thesis, application of techniques provided in domain neutral RE and AOSE disciplines for specifying goals and requirements for complex systems is proposed. Alignment with teaching and learning strategies as well as institutional goals and strategies is considered essential for successful integration in any learning institution. Consequently, this review advocate strategies for alignment through elicitation and modelling techniques of RE and AOSE disciplines. Requirement elicitation is carried out using a mixed methods of inquiry comprising of four phases in sequential & parallel investigations. Phase I involves literature / citation report analysis / systematic review and quantitative survey. Secondary quantitative data is also sought during this phase. Phase II includes further in-depth quantitative and qualitative study. Questions used during this phase are designed from issues arising in Phase I. Phase III comprises of targeted studies among stakeholders in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), allowing for comparison of underpinning policies, cultures and practices; gaining an understanding of the concept and influential factors. Data gathering techniques include surveys, observations, interviews and focus group sessions. Using both sequential and parallel mixed method of enquiry afford opportunities to establish a frame of reference and analyse opinions within the domain among relevant stakeholders: students, academics / educators, those in the role of learning support and governance and IT support personnel. The survey is analysed using descriptive statistical analysis techniques, also involving comparison of responses from all participating groups. Qualitative data is analysed using thematic methods The review of this thesis contributes to the body of knowledge on ML as a concept and practice, evaluating definitions, frameworks and practices as relating to HEIs for the most part. Approaches to integration by selected HEIs are explored and analysed for effectiveness. A series of models is created illustrating the use of RE and AOSE techniques to align ML system requirements with organisational goals and strategies. Outcomes from the review will make it possible to advance research and knowledge forward for the practice of ML and integration of MDTs in educational processes