Towards a SPEM v2.0 extension to define Process Lines variability mechanisms

Software organizations need to adapt their processes to each new project. Although Software Process Lines axe the most suitable approach for the design of processes which are adapted to different contexts, SPEM does not include the appropriate mechanisms for modelling them. The objective of this paper is to suggest a SPEM extension which will support the variability implied in a Software Process Line. New variability mechanisms based on the use of Variation Points and Variants, by means of which the variability necessary in a Process Line is represented, have been proposed. The new mechanisms that we shall introduce into SPEM, will allow it to model Software Process Lines. From these lines, the generation of processes adapted to each context will simplify the selection of the appropriate variants for each variation point.