Software process dynamic modelling for FEAST/1

This paper describes a high-level system dynamics model of a real-world software evolution process. This process is implementing embedded software elements of a defence system composed of hardware and software components. The model is one of the outputs of the FEAST/1 project, which is investigating the role and effect of feedback in the global software process. The simple feedback-based model, which has resulted from a top-down modelling approach, demonstrates the influence of the global process on the evolution of the software specification and implementation. Model outputs closely simulate actual and expected metrics for the real-world project. It is concluded inter alia that feedback external to a software production process may significantly influence that process.