Collaborative Approach for Feature Models in Software Product Lines

Abstract

One of the strategies that help to software reuse are the Software Product Lines (SPL), which are a set of products developed from common and variable features that meet specific needs of a domain. In this sense, feature models are a key tool to manage common features, variability, and customization of the line products; however, their definition is a complex task that requires the participation of a multidisciplinary team. Therefore, to achieve their definition, it is crucial to establish clear guidelines for communication and collaboration among stakeholders. The lack of effective collaboration may result in a poor definition of the model since it is a fundamental component for the construction of an SPL. This paper aims to present CINDERELLA, a collaborative approach to define feature models in SPLs, and to show its initial evaluation. Evaluation was carried out by defining an experiment in an academic environment. The experiment revealed that the students had a positive perception of CINDERELLA, highlighting its usefulness and completeness, although the clarity of its instructions needs to be improved. CINDERELLA is perceived as a user-friendly, useful, and complete approach to define feature models, because of its consistency and organization. However, its description needs to be improved and additional experiments in real contexts are required to confirm its applicability and effectiveness.