Determination of the Next Release of a Software Product: an Approach using Integer Linear Programming
Marjan van den Akker, Sjaak Brinkkemper, Guido Diepen, Johan Versendaal · 2005
Abstract. Selection of the requirements for the next release of a software product is a inherently complex task due to the high volume of intricate requirements and to the varied interests of the stake holders involved. In this paper we apply integer linear programming techniques to aid requirements managers of product software companies in release planning. The applied techniques take candidate requirements, estimated revenue per requirement (or combination of requirements), and available resources as input. Planning suppleness is added by way of allowing flexibility in team composition, team transfers, extension of deadlines and hiring external resources. Through experiments the application of the proposed approach is demonstrated with real life data. Future additions to the model are identified, as well as improved validation. 1 Planning the next release Companies developing product or embedded software face challenges in determining the set of requirements for an upcoming release. Confronted with hundreds,