Feature-oriented Modelling of Product Line Evolution

Product line engineering (PLE) needs to consider evolution and strategic planning of evolution steps right from the beginning. If evolution is not taken care of, the benefits of model-driven PLE (e.g., productivity gains, strategic reuse, complexity handling) will be difficult to achieve. In this paper we propose an approach for strategic planning and management of feature model evolution. Our approach includes a modelling framework that describes evolutionary changes of product lines using extended feature models (called EvoFM ), evolution plans, and fragments of models. Different versions of a feature model along the evolution path are considered to be “products” that can be configured using the EvoFM. By using feature models to document the evolution plan of feature models, we demonstrate an elegant solution to dealing with long term planning of changes to feature models.