Automated Framework for Software Process Model Selection Based on Soft Computing Approach

Introduction

In ancient days of computing, software development was mainly a one-man task. The problem to be solved was well understood, and it was hard to distinguish between the programmer and the end-user of the application. The model used for such applications was called code-and-fix model. To deal with the new software development, the code-and-fix model was inadequate due to:

• 1.

  Increase in the size of systems being developed, and

• 2.

  Ever-changing user’s expectations.

The process models were introduced to bring order to the chaos of software development by performing estimation, prediction, calibration and optimization. There are a number of prescriptive software process models; they are named as “prescriptive” because they describe a set of activities in software development project (Pressman, 2004). The benefit of these models brought a sure measure of helpful structure to software engineering work and has given a sensibly powerful guide for software teams (Karmyal, 2015).

The objective of this chapter is to determine the factors which influence the process model selection and subsequently propose an automated framework to predict process model for software projects using fuzzy based rule engine. To bring more correctness for selection of process model J-48 algorithm is used.

Background

Evolution of process models has been reported to have a lot of research. In industries, agile strategies are emerging and gaining popularity. Madhumita Singha Neogi (Neogi et al., 2013) demonstrates that there is noteworthy relationship between variables recognized from the past studies (Bhattacherjee et al., 2007; 2008; Neogi et al., 2009). Using appropriate statistical measures, relationships (linear and non linear) between various factors have been tested. The outcomes uncovered that software development approach of students has a tendency towards agile kind of style.Various research reports suitability and comparison of different process models (Davis et al., 1988). Adel Alshamrani (Alshamrani& Bahattab, 2015) presented the contrast between three process models, namely; waterfall model, spiral model, and incremental model. The paper condenses the advantages and disadvantages of these models for the development of systems in a manner that every model tries to wipe out the inconveniences of the past model.

Vanshika Rastogi (Rastogi, 2015) briefed five process models, namely; waterfall model, iterative model, v-shaped model, spiral model and agile model. The paper explains about preferences and disservices of these five fundamental models which are followed by their comprehensive comparison. Apoorva Mishra (Mishra& Dubey, 2013) carried comparison of different process models namely; waterfall model, v-shaped model, incremental model, spiral model and RAD on the premise of specific features like requirement specifications, risk involvement, user involvement, cost, and so on.Some exploration has likewise been proclaimed on the relationship between project categories and process models (Archibald et al., 2003; 2004; 2013; 2014; Desaulniers et al., 2001). Rupa Mahanti (Mahanti et al., 2012) presented an empirical study on the importance of the factors influencing the selection of process models in the IT industry and the correlation between the factors and the process models. An aggregate of 14 factors were contemplated in this study.