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Effective Task Allocation in Distributed Environments: A Traceability Perspective

Authors:
Salma Imtiaz
Naveed Ikram

Keywords: Architectural View; Distributed Development.

Abstract:
Task allocation or work assignment in Distributed Environments is a challenging task due to intricate dependencies between distributed sites and fundamental requirement of multifarious information. Conway’s law relates product architecture to communication and coordination needs of the people, whereas Parnas argues that communication and coordination needs give rise to technical dependencies. Product structure is depicted in its architecture, which in turn, consists of multiple views based on different perspectives. These views which are used to model different concerns of various stakeholders are inter-related. Task allocation depends on information about different architectural views and their interrelationship. Traceability links between various views can be used to model this interrelationship. There is a need to identify the traceability support between different architectural views to determine the extent of linkage between them. Task allocation is also dependent on factors not depicted in product architecture such as temporal and cultural dependencies between distributed sites. These dependencies highlight the need of an effective and sound task allocation strategy for distributed environment. A well conceived task allocation strategy will reduce various dependencies between sites resulting in effective task allocation and smooth distributed development. This paper analyses the dependencies/factors that should be considered for task allocation, the current task allocation strategies and their limitations and the traceability support between various views to identify gaps required to be filled.

Pages: 563 to 569

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2011

Publication date: October 23, 2011

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4235

ISBN: 978-1-61208-165-6

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Dates: from October 23, 2011 to October 29, 2011