Traceability Handling in Modelbased Prediction of System Quality

Abstract—Our earlier research indicated the feasibility of the PREDIQT method for model-based prediction of impacts of architectural design changes, on the different quality character-istics of a system. The PREDIQT method develops and makes use of a multi-layer model structure, called prediction models. Usefulness of the prediction models requires a structured documentation of both the relations between the prediction models and the rationale and assumptions made during the model development. This structured documentation is what we refer to as trace-link information. In this paper, we propose a traceability scheme for PREDIQT, and an implementation of it in the form of a prototype tool which can be used to define, document, search for and represent the trace-links needed. The solution is applied on prediction models from an earlier PREDIQT-based analysis of a real-life system. Based on a set of success criteria, we argue that our traceability approach is useful and practically scalable in the PREDIQT context. Keywords-traceability; system quality prediction; modeling; architectural design; change impact analysis; simulation. I