TD4ViS 2022
Jabier Martinez, Wesley K. G. Assunção, Daniele Wolfart, Klaus Schmid, Apostolos Ampatzoglou · 2022
Taking sub-optimal decisions in the system development, even if beneficial in the short term, might challenge future evolution, a phenomenon termed technical debt. Considering the numerous design and implementation decisions that variability management comprises, it represents a relevant source of technical debt. Thus, variability-intensive systems might accumulate specific types of technical debt affecting diverse software assets such as requirements, architecture, source code, documentation, tests, etc. However, variability management has not been properly analysed from a technical debt perspective. Thus, it is important to explore what is specific to "variability debt" compared to other types of technical debt, as well as, what are the specifics of managing TD in variability intensive systems. A concise definition and characterization including a catalogue of examples is desirable. Further, many adaptations and approaches can be proposed for the typical technical debt management activities (identification, measurement, prioritization, repayment, monitoring, prevention, representation/documentation, and communication). We also aim at defining a roadmap.