Representing Micro-Business Requirements Patterns with Associated Software Components

Abstract

This paper proposes representations for micro-business requirements patterns with associated software components. The patterns must be comprehensible enough for micro-business owners without technical backgrounds but at the same time be technical enough for the software developers who use them during the design and development of software. Both objectives are somewhat conflicting and trade-offs have to be made regarding their representations. The pattern representations use a combination of tables, business process models, goal graphs, labels, and UML component diagrams. First, the paper provides an example of a micro-business requirements pattern in the form of an inventory pattern and applies it in a real-world micro-business case, a clothes retail store. Through the example, it shows how the pattern is instantiated and associated with software components. Then, it shows how the patterns are applied in industrial practice, including the software development companies currently adapting and applying them, accompanied by observable strengths and weaknesses.