Petri net-based simulation and analysis of the software development process

Abstract

This paper explores improvements which can be achieved by applying Petri nets to the modeling, simulation and analysis of the software development process. The huge complexity of this process, in conjunction with the demand for rapid reaction to market pressure, hard limits on time and cost, and the fluidity of human resource organization can make it considerably difficult to establish a confident software development process. Simulations of such processes using Petri net models show considerable benefits with respect to real factors such as resource requirements, representation of critical borders, the effects of resource deficit, delays in process phases, etc. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.