Industrial perspectives on architecture level change impact analysis in Web systems evolution

Abstract

Change impact analysis (CIA) approaches are mostly developed based on the understanding of both system development process and system architecture. It is thus reasonable to assume that if the development process or system architecture is fundamentally different, then CIA approaches must address these differences accordingly. This is particularly relevant in the context of Web systems, given that these systems often have a specific set of characteristics related to differences both in the architecture and the process through which they are developed. To investigate this issue we have interviewed web designers/architects and reported the industrial perspectives on using current architecture CIA approaches. The interview findings reveal a set of elicited needs that an architecture CIA approach should address to be suitably adopted during Web systems evolution. Additionally, systematic classification of these needs indicates the focus areas and their relevance in Web systems. Finally, the study findings provide guidance for the possible extension of architecture CIA approaches specifically for Web systems.