An integrated approach for requirement selection and scheduling in software release planning

Abstract

It is essential for product software companies to decide which requirements should be included in the next release and to make an appropriate time plan of the development project. Compared to the extensive research done on requirement selection, very little research has been performed on time scheduling. In this paper, we introduce two integer linear programming models that integrate time scheduling into software release planning. Given the resource and precedence constraints, our first model provides a schedule for developing the requirements such that the project duration is minimized. Our second model combines requirement selection and scheduling, so that it not only maximizes revenues but also simultaneously calculates an on-time-delivery project schedule. Since requirement dependencies are essential for scheduling the development process, we present a more detailed analysis of these dependencies. Furthermore, we present two mechanisms that facilitate dynamic adaptation for over-estimation or underestimation of revenues or processing time, one of which includes the Scrum methodology. Finally, several simulations based on real-life data are performed. The results of these simulations indicate that requirement dependency can significantly influence the requirement selection and the corresponding project plan. Moreover, the model for combined requirement selection and scheduling outperforms the sequential selection and scheduling approach in terms of efficiency and on-time delivery.

Scrum in Practice: an Overview of Scrum Adaptations

“…Tools procedures, artifacts, roles [7] tools [28] [42] Several papers are motivated by the need for techniques that do not directly modify the Scrum methodology, but can be used in conjunction with existing Scrum elements to achieve a specific task. Papers in this category are motivated by a need to develop a tool and deliver that tool as a solution.…”

“…For example, to improve requirements scheduling, Li et al (2010) develop a linear programming model and showcase a prototypical application for release planning. The authors show that their scheduling model can be applied for Scrum projects, and may increase planning efficiency among multiple sprints and teams.…”

Release Planning with Feature Trees: Industrial Case

“…They require a complete catalogue of comparable requirements that are evaluated, prioritized, and selected for implementation [20]. Known prioritization approaches include manual techniques such as top ten, numerical assignment, ranking, and 100$-test [5], and computer-based techniques such as Integer Linear Programming [21,22] and the Analytical Hierarchy Process [23].…”

Exploring Software Product Management decision problems with constraint solving - opportunities for prioritization and release planning

“…binary search trees for requirements prioritization [4], [5], and, e.g. optimization by linear programming [6], [7], [8] or genetic algorithms [9] for release planning. These approaches stipulate a specific algorithm to be enacted by humans only, or by humans using a supporting computer program.…”

“…Our aim is instead to add an alternative to existing algorithmic approaches, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process [4] for prioritization or Integer Linear Programming [7], [31] for release planning -an alternative that can provide a powerful, general and concise toolbox for flexible investigation of the nature of real-world SPM decision problems (rather than their algorithmic solution) by combining standard, high-level, declarative languages, such as MiniZinc [14], with ready-made optimization algorithms in CSP solvers, such as JaCoP [12].…”