A framework to improve the architecture quality of software intensive systems [Elektronische Ressource] / von Steffen Thiel

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Informations

• Publié par: universitat_duisburg-essen
• Publié le: 01 janvier 2005
• Nombre de lectures: 38
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

A Framework to Improve the
Architecture Quality of Software-Intensive Systems










Steffen Thiel
















































































A Framework to Improve the
Architecture Quality of Software-Intensive Systems








Eine vom Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften
der Universität Duisburg-Essen
zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades

Doktor der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.)

genehmigte Dissertation von

Dipl.-Inform. Steffen Thiel

aus Langen










Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 28. Oktober 2005

Promotionskommission: Vorsitzender: Prof. Dr. K. Echtle
Erstgutachter: Prof. Dr. K. Pohl
Zweitgutachter: Prof. Dr. M. Goedicke














Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see,
thinks what never was, nor is, nor ever shall be.


ALEXANDER POPE, AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM






Table of Contents


Abstract.................................................................................................................................. xix
Acknowledgements................................................................................................................ xxi
1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Motivation......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Problem Context............................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Problems of Scope and Focal Research Fields ................................................................. 7
1.3.1 Research Gaps.....................................................................................................9
1.3.2 Topics Out of Scope.......................................................................................... 11
1.4 Hypothesis..... 12
1.5 Approach...... 13
1.6 Research Contribution....................................................................................................13
1.7 Organization of the Thesis.............................................................................................. 15
2 Related Work in Architecture Development.............................................................. 17
2.1 Software Architecture and Architecture Development................................................... 18
2.1.1 Basic Principles.................................................................................................18
2.1.2 Definitions of Software Architecture................................................................19
2.1.3 Definitions of Architecture Development......................................................... 20
2.2 Designing the Architecture ............................................................................................. 21
2.2.1 Inputs to Architecture Design ........................................................................... 23
2.2.2 Outputs from Architecture Design.................................................................... 32
2.2.3 Design Support Concepts.................................................................................. 38
2.2.4 Architecture Design Methods 42
2.2.5 Comparison of Design Methods ....................................................................... 48
2.3 Evaluating the Architecture ............................................................................................ 52
2.3.1 Inputs to Architecture Evaluation ..................................................................... 53
2.3.2 Outputs from Architecture Evaluation.............................................................. 53
2.3.3 Evaluation Support Concepts............................................................................55
2.3.4 Architecture Evaluation Methods59
2.3.5 Comparison of Evaluation Methods ................................................................. 67
2.4 Summary......................................................................................................................... 70
vii
viii Table of Contents

3 Bridging the Research Gaps with QUADRAD .......................................................... 71
3.1 Key Concepts to Address Research Gaps....................................................................... 72
3.1.1 Architectural Decisions Have Impact on the Overall System Design .............. 73
3.1.2 Architectural Decisions are Based on Architectural Drivers............................ 74
3.1.3 Architectural Strategies and Mechanisms Support Decision Making .............. 74
3.1.4 Architectural Decisions Influence Each Other ................................................. 75
3.2 Metamodel and Approach............................................................................................... 77
3.3 Refining and Packaging the Approach ........................................................................... 79
3.4 An Overview of the QUADRAD Framework ................................................................ 81
3.5 Summary......................................................................................................................... 86
4 The QUADRAD Preparation Workflow .................................................................... 87
4.1 Workflow Overview.......................................................................................................88
4.2 Identify Architectural Drivers......................................................................................... 90
4.2.1 Calculate Priorities............................................................................................91
4.2.2 Determine High-Priority Requirements............................................................ 97
4.3 Determine Architectural View Types........................................................................... 101
4.4 Preparation Activities and Research Gaps.................................................................... 104
4.5 Summary....................................................................................................................... 105
5 The QUADRAD Modeling Workflow....................................................................... 107
5.1 Workflow Overview.....................................................................................................108
5.2 Define Architectural Strategies and Mechanisms......................................................... 110
5.2.1 Determine Architectural Strategies................................................................. 112
5.2.2 ine Architectural Mechanisms ............................................................ 118
5.2.3 Determine Suitability......................................................................................120
5.3 Model the Architectural Infrastructure ......................................................................... 127
5.3.1 Derive Architectural Decisions....................................................................... 129
5.3.2 Apply Decisions and Adapt Architecture ....................................................... 135
5.4 Refine the Architecture................................................................................................. 140
5.5 Modeling Activities and Research Gaps 143
5.6 Summary....................................................................................................................... 144
6 The QUADRAD Evaluation Workflow .................................................................... 145
6.1 Workflow Overview.....................................................................................................146
6.2 Define Evaluation Goals............................................................................................... 149
6.3 Elicit and Prioritize Evaluation Scenarios 150
6.3.1 Brainstorm and Organize Evaluation Scenarios ............................................. 152
6.3.2 Calculate Scenario Priorities........................................................................... 156
6.4 Map Scenarios and Identify Decisions ......................................................................... 158
ixTable of Contents

6.5 Analyze Decisions and Summarize Findings ............................................................... 163
6.5.1 Analyze Scenario Maps .................................................................................. 165
6.5.2 Refine Scenario Analysis........................................