Software Ageing Assessment and Indexing Model Based on Software Quality Dimension: The Conceptual Model

Software ageing is an unavoidable phenomenon that can occur with every software product. Software that is unable to evolve and meet current needs will have a limited ability to provide ongoing functionality and relevance. Software performance and quality will degrade when these happen, known as the software ageing phenomena. Even though we cannot escape ageing in software products, it can be delayed and slowed down by understanding which factors contribute to ageing. Software ageing factors can be classified into two categories which are external and internal factors. This study focuses on external factors of software ageing related to or derived from the existing software quality model. Our experience conducting research in software quality and certification motivates us to develop a software ageing assessment and indexing model from the dimension of software quality. This paper presents the background and related issues on software ageing and quality and focuses further on the conceptual model of software ageing.