Using simulation to facilitate the study of software product line evolution

A product line approach is a disciplined methodology for strategic reuse of source code, requirement specifications, software architectures, design models, components, test cases, and the processes for using the aforementioned artifacts. Software process simulation modeling is a valuable tool for enabling decision making for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from adoption and strategic management to process improvement and planning. In this paper, discrete event simulation is used to provide a framework for the simulation of software product line engineering. We have created an environment that facilitates strategic management and long-term forecasting with respect to software product line development and evolution.