[epf-dev] Method Engineering and adding a third method component reposit

[Donald Firesmith <dgf@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Currently, there are just two repositories: The BUP repository (based 
strongly on RUP) donated by IBM Rationale and the Agile repository being 
developed by members of the Agile community.  Much of the philosophy 
around these two repositories seems to be based on providing a 
/minimalistic /set of method components that can be selected, modified, 
and possibly extended.  Thus, the discussion around whether or not to 
add domain modeling to the BUP repository.

At the OPEN Process Framework Repository Organization, we have taken the 
opposite approach.  We believe that it is easier to not include existing 
method components that are not needed than it is to create new 
high-quality ones from scratch, and it is easier to tailor out parts of 
method components than it is to add missing parts, especially for many 
projects that do not have (or have access to) trained 
methodologists/process engineers.  Just like it is better to have a 
large Java class library with powerful classes than a small one with 
minimalistic classes,  we have decided to include as many reasonable 
method components in the OPF repository as practical, included as much 
contents per method component as practical, and covered as many 
disciplines and work products as practical.  The idea is to use method 
engineering to build a project-specific method by selecting, tailoring, 
and integrating method components rather than taking a generic method 
and tailoring it.  Therefore, we recommend that the epf include a large 
repository based on this philosophy and provide tools that makes it very 
easy to select appropriate method components from the repository, tailor 
them (primarily by deletion/subclassing), and integration.  We would 
like to see epf expanded to include this kind of repository and the 
development plan extended to include the OPFRO repository in order to 
better support this type of method engineering.

Sincerely,
Don Firesmith'
Founding Chair, OPFRO
www.opfro.org