An assessment model for requirements identification in component-based software development

Abstract

Software development literature is replete with studies that demonstrate how ineffective requirements analysis (RA) has led to failed applications. Some of the difficulties encountered in RA however are due to inherent limitations in traditional approach to software development. On the other hand, component-based software development (CBSD) presents a unique approach to developing software. Components advertise the services they offer and could be organized in a knowledge-base (i.e., repository). CBSD paradigm provides an effective communication vehicle for users and analysts by enabling them to uncover requirements as they navigate through the component knowledge-base.In this paper, we draw from the information processing theory (IPT) on problem solving to develop an assessment model for evaluating the impact of CBSD on requirements identification, arguing that the access to components in a knowledge-base facilitates the requirements identification. The key elements of the IPT on problem solving are information processing system of the problem solver, task environment and internal representation of the problem space. We propose that access to a component knowledge-base enhances information processing system of the problem solver and simplifies the task environment which together improve user's internal representation of the problem space. This theoretical framework makes it possible to empirically test the impact of CBSD on requirements identification process.