Topics: 5.5. Processes5.6. Product Line Engineering5.7. Software-Intensive Systems
Abstract: Creating a Product Line should not be undertaken lightly. There are many complexities to consider relative to development of individual products or cloning of existing designs. How-ever, in today’s business environment, development of multiple, similar products as individual or clone projects is unsustainable, both from the viewpoint of cost and of availability of suitably skilled engineers. This paper considers approaches to development of Product Lines in the context of gas turbine engine full authority digital electronic control systems. The Product Line in this paper was created for an existing engine, with new Applications and a new control system for multiple helicopters. The paper explores the challenges with developing the Product Line and the benefits relative to development of individual products. The benefits are illustrated by an investigation of software cost and schedule metrics for Product Line builds, Application Builds and non-Product Line builds.