Method configuration : method and computerized tool support

Abstract: In thisdissertation, method configuration is treated as a kind of methodengineering, focusing on adaptation of a base method. A conceptualframework, a meta-method and a computerized tool support for methodconfiguration are proposed. These are built around the three basicconstructs method component, configuration package andconfiguration template, where reuse and method rationale arecentral for the design. A method component is a self-contained partof a method expressing the transformation of one or severalartefacts into a defined target artefact and the rationale for sucha transformation. The selection of components is based on thecomponents- expressed rationale and the purpose of theconfiguration activity is to reach rationality resonance betweenproject members and the situational method that is created.Configuration packages are pre-made reusable configurations of abase method, based on the selected method components, suitable fora specific characteristic of a development situation. Configurationtemplates with different characteristics can be related todifferent configuration packages and used as a base for reaching asituational method efficiently. Four empirical studies, based on acollaborative practice research strategy, are presented in whichthe conceptual framework, the meta-method and the computerized toolsupport are developed and validated. These studies show that theproposed conceptual framework, meta-method and computerized toolsupport, ease the burden of the method configurator in configuringa method for particular project characteristics. Furthermore, ithas been possible to adapt to situational characteristics usingmethod rationale while creating reusable methodassets.