Growing a Software Reuse Programme

A Half-Day Tutorial on Issues of Software Reuse Management

Offered by The Reuse Group

Abstract:

It is difficult to escape talk of how Object Technology will enable developers to reuse software. Nearly every article discussing the power of objects mentions reuse, and nearly every conference session on objects mentions reuse. But reuse does not come automatically with objects. In fact, while objects can be an enabler for software reuse, even with objects, software reuse is still hard work.

The potential benefits of software reuse far outstrip those of any purely technological advances in software development, such as new languages, CASE tools, repositories, or environments. These benefits have been realized by a number of companies that have been willing to do the hard work necessary to make reuse happen. Most of that work involves designing and implementing a software reuse management programme that fits the organization.

This tutorial examines the various approaches that could be taken in search of software reuse. It identifies why many approaches are not likely to meet with success, and why others, which are more likely to meet with success, require fundamental changes in the way we look at software development and maintenance. The tutorial describes how to match reuse approaches to organizational culture and capabilities, and it provides hints and advice on how to design and grow a reuse programme that has the best chance of success.

Tutorial outline:

1) The pros and cons of managing reuse

- a) The potential benefits of reuse
- b) The price of these benefits
- c) Justifying a reuse programme

2) Structuring a reuse programme

- a) Reuse assessment
- b) Reuse models
- c) Organizational structure
- d) Reuse methodology

3) Growing a reuse programme

- a) Milestones in growing a reuse programme
- b) Hints for growing a reuse programme

About the tutorial instructor

Eric Aranow is the president of Context Consulting, an Arlington, Massachusetts (USA) company specializing in software development technology and development management practices. Mr. Aranow is also a principal in The Reuse Group, a group of consultants specializing in reuse-oriented consulting services. For the past several years he has been researching successful and unsuccessful software reuse efforts in order to isolate the critical ingredients for successful reuse programmes. Mr. Aranow also focuses on tools and methods for object-oriented software development. He can be reached via the Internet at aranow@reuse.com.

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