Modifiability measurement from a task complexity perspective: A feasibility study

Despite the critical role of software modifiability, it has no universally accepted measurement model. Measuring modifiability in terms of maintenance effort is problematic because it confounds modifiability with the ability of individual maintainers. In this paper, we apply Wood's task complexity model to propose a general analytical model that describes the characteristics of maintenance tasks and the analytical dimensions of modifiability independent of the individual maintainers. The results of a case study demonstrate the construct validity of the model.