Combining systematic reuse with Agile development

Michael Kircher, Peter Hofman
2012 Proceedings of the 16th International Software Product Line Conference on - SPLC '12 -volume 1  
This paper documents the experiences of Siemens Healthcare in mastering challenges when transitioning a large-scale dispersed platform development organization to Agile. Product Line Engineering aims at increasing productivity through reuse, but since strategic reuse requires up-front decisions, is also seen as heavy weight and process driven. Agile development on the other hand is perceived as lightweight, change friendly, but at the same time neglecting long term strategic planning. With this
more » ... paper we want to report on our experience combining both approaches, PLE for strategic reuse and agile principles for achieving steady progress while still leveraging the long-term benefits. The key was to build the foundation on the common best practice of 'feature-orientation' present in flavors in both disciplines. Featureorientation allowed merging both disciplines into a holistic approach that blends the benefits of product line engineering with those of Agility -resulting in improved product delivery, as well as employee and customer satisfaction.
doi:10.1145/2362536.2362566 dblp:conf/splc/KircherH12 fatcat:obxfrxuoszhqjd7s4jnrrj3q2u