Diversification in Software Engineering: Concept, Applications, Challenges

This paper examines factors that have advocated the diversification of software process models. The purpose is to understand more clearly the problem-solving process in software engineering and to identify criteria that can be used to evaluate alternative software-driven problem-solving strategies for differing project requirements. A review of software process modeling is given first, followed by a discussion of process evaluation techniques. A taxonomy for categorizing process models, based on establishing decision criteria, is identified that can guide selecting the appropriate model from a set of alternatives on the basis of model characteristics and software project needs. These criteria can facilitate adaptability in the software process so that the process can be “altered or adapted to suit a set of special needs or purposes� .The factors that have contributed to the diversification of software process models have often been related to the expansion in goals and capabilities in the software industry.