Abstract:
A great deal of effort is needed to construct software products in a predictable and repeatable
manner. Having a precisely defined methodology in place can certainly help, especially if it
includes the comprehensive specification of the process to be followed and the work products to
be created. However, a convenient integration of these two aspects (process and work product)
has not yet been performed. This paper presents a new approach to the definition of
methodologies that supports the process and work product domains concurrently through the
specification of discrete methodology elements. Some of these elements, called here templates,
are designed to be instantiated during the use of the methodology in specific projects, while
others, called resources, are intended to be used directly. Theoretical and practical implications
of this division, especially regarding metamodelling and the use of powertypes, are explored. The
proposed metamodelling approach is shown to facilitate the precise and complete specification of
comprehensive methodologies, establishing the foundations for predictable and repeatable
results from software development.
