Integrating Concept Selection in a Software Development Process

Abstract

Although a similarity between software and product development processes exists, concept selection is not treated as a core stage in software development whereas it is an important stage in product development. In this paper, we propose to apply concept selection methodologies in design engineering (modularized Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and perceptual concept evaluation methodologies) to software development. In particular, we demonstrate how these methods may be used for software architecture and software module concept selections. Modularized QFD matrices help software developers relate customer requirements to software requirements, and then to software module requirements. At the same time, importance of customer requirements is allocated to software requirements and then to software module requirements. These requirements and normalized worth serve as concept evaluation criteria and their weights. The proposed approach is illustrated using image search software as an example.