Requirements Engineering in Model-Transformation Development: An Interview-Based Study

Model Transformations (MT) are central building blocks of Model Driven Engineering (MDE). The size and complexity of model transformations grows as they see more wide-spread use in industry. As a result, systematic approaches to the development of high-quality and highly reliable model transformations become increasingly important. However, because little is known about the context in which model transformations are developed, it is very difficult to know what would be required from such systematic approaches. This paper provides some initial results and analysis of an interview-based study of requirements engineering (RE) in MT developments. We have interviewed industry experts in MT development, with the goal of understanding the contexts and ways in which transformations are developed and how their requirements are established. The types of stakeholders of transformations were identified, as well as their role in the transformation development. We also discovered a possible differentiation amongst the development of model transformation projects and general software development projects.