The 3-Tiered Software Product Line Methodology

First generation software product line development methods tended to be large and complex, making adoption difficult in practice. Through direct involvement in more than 10 real-world deployments, including Software Product Line Hall of Fame inductees LSI Logic/Engenio and Salion, we have identified a simpler pattern of software product line engineering methodology, referred to as the 3-Tiered Software Product Line Methodology.

This pragmatic new generation methodology is useful for understanding software product lines and in justifying why this technology should be part of every portfolio development organization. Its practical tiered approach is instrumental in allowing companies to remove barriers and successfully transition to and operate product line practices.

The 3-Tiered Methodology comprises the following three tiers of capabilities and benefits, where each tier builds upon and is enabled by the previous tier:

• Base Tier – Variation Management and Automated Production
  First class variation management and a fully automated production line deliver optimized developer productivity and significant reductions in per-product development cost.
• Middle Tier – Core Asset Focused Development
  Shifting from product focused to core asset focused development enables the portfolio to be developed as a single system rather than a multitude of products. High levels of software reuse and deep core asset expertise are the result, leading to optimized product quality.
• Top Tier – Feature Based Portfolio Evolution
  As the business transitions from product based to feature based portfolio evolution – where the entire portfolio evolves by adding or modifying feature requirements – the result is extremely efficient collaboration and concise communication between the business and engineering teams, leading to faster time-to-market and increased product line scalability.

For more information on this new generation methodology, see BigLever's white paper The Pragmatic 3-Tiered Software Product Line Methodology.