Patterns for Success in the Adoption and Execution of Feature-based Product Line Engineering: A Report from Practitioners
5.3.2: Product Line Engineering
Session Chair: Tony Williams
Session Host: Courtney Wright
Presenter(s): David Hartley (General Dynamic Mission Systems) Paul Clements (BigLever Software, Inc.)
Author(s): Susan Gregg (Lockheed Martin) Morgan McAfee (General Dynamics Mission Systems) Randy Pitz (The Boeing Company) James Teaff (Raytheon)
Paper: 49
When: Tue 21, Jul 13:15-13:55 CEST
Keywords: Feature-based product line engineering;Organizational change;Patterns for adoption
Topics: 3.5. Technical Leadership5.6. Product Line Engineering6. Defense
Abstract: Systems and Software Product Line Engineering (PLE) is a general approach to engineer a portfolio of related products in an efficient manner, taking advantage of the products’ similarities while respecting and managing their differences. The approach manages a product portfolio as a single entity, as opposed to a multitude of separate products. Numerous resources describe the or-ganizational benefits associated with incorporating PLE techniques and tools. Feature-based System and Software Product Line Engineering is a specific form of PLE that is powered by commercial off-the-shelf automation, fully defined processes, and a formal language of variation based on fea-tures. Many case studies show the efficacy of Feature-based PLE and the improvements in cost, schedule, and quality that can come with it. In this paper, practitioners from four of world’s six largest defense companies highlight their experience with the practices that enable and inhibit success with this powerful engineering discipline.