Developing component-based tools for requirements reuse: a process guide

Abstract

The reuse of requirements has received little attention in the literature, especially in relation to genuine industrial problems. The paper describes the efforts that have been made to promote the reuse of requirements for aero-engine control systems at Rolls-Smiths Engine Controls Limited (RoSEC). In the approach, the notion of the requirements "component" is first introduced as a structure for reuse, and the process of component engineering used to create such components is examined. The role of requirements components in the development of reuse tools is investigated, particularly from the viewpoint of tool evolution. The COMPASS (COMPonent ASSistant) framework is presented as a development strategy for component-based requirements reuse tools. The paper closes with an initial evaluation of the approach and a summary of lessons learnt.