Top Productivity through Software Reuse

Abstract

Product Lines for mission critical Command and Control systems was a starting point for a long lasting research collaboration between National University of Singapore (NUS) and ST Electronics (Info-Software Systems) Pte Ltd (STEE-InfoSoft). Collaboration was intensified by a joint research project, also involving University of Waterloo and Netron Inc. that led to development of reuse technology called XVCL. The contribution of this paper is twofold: First, we describe collaboration modes, factors that were critical to sustain collaboration, and benefits for university and industry gained over years. Among the main benefits, STEE-InfoSoft advanced its reuse practice by applying XVCL in several software Product Line projects, while NUS team received early feedback from STEE-InfoSoft which helped refine XVCL reuse methods and keep academic research in sync with industrial realities. Academic findings and industrial pilots have opened new unexpected research directions. Second, we draw lessons learned from many projects, to explain the general nature and significance of problems addressed with the XVCL approach. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.