Applying model-driven engineering in small software enterprises

• Published in: Science of computer programming 2014-09, Vol.89 (B), p.176-198
• Main Authors: Cuadrado, Jesús Sánchez, Cánovas Izquierdo, Javier Luis, Molina, Jesús García
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer Science; Experience report; Incremental consistency; Information Retrieval; Model Driven Engineering; Other; Small companies
• ISSN: 0167-6423; 1872-7964
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scico.2013.04.007

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is increasingly gaining acceptance in the software engineering community, however its adoption by the industry is far from successful. The number of companies applying MDE is still very limited. Although several case studies and reports have been published on MDE adoption in large companies, experience reports on small enterprises are still rare, despite the fact that they represent a large part of the software companies ecosystem. In this paper we report on our practical experience in two transfer of technology projects on two small companies. In order to determine the degree of success of these projects we present some factors that have to be taken into account in transfer of technology projects. Then, we assess both projects analyzing these factors and applying some metrics to give hints about the potential productivity gains that MDE could bring. We also comment on some lessons learned. These experiences suggest that MDE has the potential to make small companies more competitive, because it enables them to build powerful automation tools at modest cost. We will also present the approach followed to train these companies in MDE, and we contribute the teaching material so that it can be used or adapted by others projects of this nature. •Description of two MDE projects carried out in two small companies.•Metrics show productivity gains.•The selection of the pilot project is a key issue.•To foster adoption the research team must advice the company about new developments.