Problem-Solution Mapping for Evolution Support of Software Architectural Design

Abstract

Software architectures constitute a crucial factor for the development and evolution of software systems because they have to sustain their quality properties like flexibility, scalability, or security. A software architecture has to reflect the transition from the problem space with quality goals and requirements on one side to the solution space with technical solutions on the other side. A mapping between goals and solutions shall enable long-term evolution of the systems by expressing design knowledge and fundamental decisions explicitly. The gap between the fields of requirements engineering, software architectural design and software quality has not yet been closed. This paper discusses the Goal Solution Scheme, which maps quality goals and goal refinements to architectural principles and solutions. Its application in forward and re-engineering activities is shown, as well as its establishment. The concept has been evaluated in various projects including industrial case studies.