On the Use of i* for Architecting Hybrid Systems: A Method and an Evaluation Report

Abstract

Abstract. The architectural definition of hybrid software systems is a challenging problem that demands to reconcile stakeholders' strategic needs and components marketplace, whilst defining an appropriate set of services. We have defined a method called DHARMA based on the i* framework. The goal of this paper is to present an experience report about the use of i* in large-scale projects. We provide two different viewpoints: the viewpoint of the stakeholder and the viewpoint of the modeller. Apart from general lessons learned, we also provide some insights about the use of i* in the specific context of architecting hybrid systems using DHARMA.

Building Strategic Enterprise Context Models with i*: A Pattern-Based Approach

“…As mentioned above, these changes align with previous work on the use of i* in industrial settings (see e.g. [3]) which points to the fact that in practice some constructs create some confusion and act as an adoption barrier for practitioners. Also, as we will see in the next sections, we adopt three graphical conventions: first, we allow for a tabular representation of i* models, especially useful when models grow; second, we represent direction of dependencies by arrowheads instead of the "D" convention of i*; third, given two dependencies d1 = (n, a1, a2, t) and d2 = (n, a2, a1, t), we can draw these two dependencies using just a single graphical dependency with arrowheads in both directions.…”

“…It aims at the definition of enterprise architectures using the i* framework [3]. The process resulting from the method (see Fig.…”

“…Just draw quick sketches including 2 or 3 actors maximum (preferable instances of a same actor in the pattern). Graphical conventions as those included in [3] and also in this paper (e.g., tabular representation of models) can be used.  Add additional columns to the table to include dependency description, type and direction, as shown in Tables 1 to 3.…”

“…Therefore, patterns include environmental actors and their strategic dependencies. Patterns emerged from several industrial and academic applications of the first activity of our DHARMA method [3], which requires the construction of i*-based context models.…”

Incorporating Modules into the i* Framework

“…In [ 5], the authors report the use of i* for architecting hybrid systems in two industrial experiences at the Etapatelecom Ecuadorian company. One of the cornerstones of the proposed method is the reconciliation of the individual models that the different stakeholders build.…”