Connecting reusable software process elements and components

Abstract

The paper focuses on one particular topic within the realm of software process reuse: namely, the issue of connections among reusable software process elements and components. Such connections can be problematic even in cases where human ingenuity and understanding is counted on entirely to smooth out the connection details while performing the process. However, the difficulties become more severe in cases involving process technology, such as formal representation of processes in a process modeling language, automated analysis and simulation of processes, and automated execution support for processes (aka process-centered environments). The paper addresses the connection issues that arise across all of these cases, particularly including the challenges that process reuse pose to process technology.