Application of a hybrid process simulation model to a software development project

Abstract

Simulation models of the software development process can be used to evaluate potential process changes. Careful evaluation should consider the change within the context of the project environment. While system dynamics models have been used to model the project environment, discrete event and state-based models are more useful when modeling process activities. Hybrid models of the software development process can examine questions that cannot be answered by either system dynamics models or discrete event models alone. In this paper, we present a detailed hybrid model of a software development process currently in use at a major industrial developer. We describe the model and show how the model was used to evaluate simultaneous changes to both the process and the project environment.