Development of a Software Evolution Process for Military Systems Composed of Integrated Commercial off the Shelf Components

摘要

Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition policy requires that military system acquisitions incorporate commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components into system architectures. Traditional DoD source code development and evolution methodologies do not effectively support COTS-intensive systems. To fully realize the benefits of COTS technologies and products, the DoD must adopt new ways to sustain system evolution in the face of a dynamic market environment subject to constant change. This thesis proposes a new software evolution methodology to effectively maintain COTS-intensive military systems. The integrated COTS component evolution (ICCE) model provides evolution processes designed to support the maintainer as a consumer of software instead of a source-code developer. The ICCE model affords proactive risk awareness, market awareness, and user awareness activities. The ICCE model also supports a three- tier test and evaluation process. A case study for the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Meteorological Mobile Facility Replacement (METMF(R)) program demonstrates the effectiveness of the ICCE risk management process.