Impact analysis of UML design changes using model slicing

We propose a technique for analysis of impact of design changes using dynamic slicing of UML models. For a software architecture specified using UML, we first transform a given model into a graph representation which we have named Model Dependency Graph (MDG). MDG combines information available in the interaction model along with the relevant information available in class model into an integrated model. For a given slicing criterion, our slicing algorithm traverses the constructed MDG to identify the relevant model elements forming the dynamic slice. We use these slices to identify the model changes, and their impact. Our impact analysis methodology is based on using the difference between the dynamic slices computed before and after changes are made to the model. Our methodology's novelty lies in performing impact analysis based on a graph metamodel as against independently processing separate UML models.