Method configuration: method and computerized tool support
Fredrik Karlsson · 2005
In this dissertation, method configuration is treated as a kind of method engineering, focusing on adaptation of a base method. A conceptual framework, a meta-method and a computerized tool support for method configuration are proposed. These are built around the three basic constructs method component, configuration package and configuration template, where reuse and method rationale are central for the design. A method component is a self-contained part of a method expressing the transformation of one or several artefacts into a defined target artefact and the rationale for such a transformation. The selection of components is based on the components- expressed rationale and the purpose of the configuration activity is to reach rationality resonance between project members and the situational method that is created. Configuration packages are pre-made reusable configurations of a base method, based on the selected method components, suitable for a specific characteristic of a development situation. Configuration templates with different characteristics can be related to different configuration packages and used as a base for reaching a situational method efficiently. Four empirical studies, based on a collaborative practice research strategy, are presented in which the conceptual framework, the meta-method and the computerized tool support are developed and validated. These studies show that the proposed conceptual framework, meta-method and computerized tool support, ease the burden of the method configurator in configuring a method for particular project characteristics. Furthermore, it has been possible to adapt to situational characteristics using method rationale while creating reusable method assets.