Dealing with complexity using conceptual models based on tropos

Abstract

Since its establishment, the major objective of the Tropos methodology has been to develop an approach for the systematic engineering of agentoriented information systems. In this chapter we illustrate a number of approaches to deal with complexity, which address different activities in software development and are deemed to be used in combination. We begin with handling complexity at requirements levels. In particular we examine how modularization can be improved using some of Aspect Oriented Software Development Principles. We then examine how model-based testing applied in parallel to requirements analysis and design can support incremental validation and testing of software components, as well as help to clarify ambiguities in requirements. We also look at how Tropos can help to address complexity in social context when making design decisions. Last but not least, we show how to tackle complexity at the process modelling level. We explore iterative development extension to Tropos as well as perspectives taken from software project management. This allows us to deal with the complexity of large real world projects. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.