Switch: An Extensible Framework for the Generation of Bespoke and Dynamic Software Development Models

Abstract

Attempts to come up with a single Software Process Model (SPM) that can be used in all development scenarios have failed. The same can be said for the approach that seeks to come up with an authoritative and exhaustive set of

software process model. Currently the software engineering fraternity finds itself with numerous software process models none of which is perfect for all projects.

Frameworks have been proposed that attempt to encompass the best features of all software process models, but still results have not been satisfactory. Most problems with current SPMs can be attributed to the underlying assumption that “in relation to SPMs all projects are the same”. The premise of this thesis is that in relation to SPMs all software projects are unique and as such each requires its own software process model. A framework (Switch) for designing these project specific models is designed and specified after numerous investigations in software processes and Model Determinants attributes of a software project which lands it to the construction of a unique SPM). The Switch framework was tested to see if it produces valid SPMs as per framework specification. For numerous hypothetical and actual software development project scenarios, models produced by the framework proved to be logically superior to generic Software Process Models.