Component-based integrated systems development: a model for the emerging procurement-centric approach to software development

The continuing increase of interest in Component-based Software Engineering (CBSE) signifies the emergence of a new development trend within the software industry. Unlike preceding software engineering models, CBSE heavily relies on the utilization of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products as the underlying foundation for new product development. Its emphasis is on the acquisition of reusable products to develop complex integrated solutions over their development from scratch. Compared to traditional development-centric approaches, CBSE promises a more efficient and effective means to deliver software solutions to the market. However, underestimating the risks associated with the acquisition of these software components has resulted in longer schedule delay and higher development/maintenance cost. The paper describes a procurement-centric model that we have utilized to effectively support the development of a CBSE project at the Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics Engineering Center (CEEC). The Component-based Integrated Systems Development (CISD) model identifies key engineering phases and their sub-phases that are often ignored, or merely implicit, in existing development-centric models. The paper also presents the various lessons learned implementing CBSE at the CEEC.