Archetypical Approaches of Fast Software Development and Slow Embedded Projects

Ulrik Eklund, Jan Bosch
2013 2013 39th Euromicro Conference on Software Engineering and Advanced Applications  
This paper describes the problem context of software development for mass-produced embedded systems, with distinguishing factors such as the co-design of software and hardware, strong focus on manufacturing aspects, supplier involvement and safety-critical functionality. In this context there is a need for a holistic model to explain the failures and successes industrial projects, where just investigating a single dimension, e.g. chosen ways-of-working or architecture is not sufficient. The
more » ... contribution is a holistic model consisting of five archetypical approaches to embedded software development, based on a mapping study over industrial cases in literature. The approaches range from "traditional" stage-gate projects focusing on product qualities and large integration efforts, to fast development in short loops by autonomous teams based on a composable software platform. The model aligns the processes with the architecture of the embedded software, and the implications on the business and the organisation. The model allows an research & development(R&D) organisation to identify where it is positioned and to evolve its software development approach. The model is elucidated by two empirical cases from a Swedish company.
doi:10.1109/seaa.2013.38 dblp:conf/euromicro/EklundB13 fatcat:mkgryetjhvdi7nrix36q2oqcaq