A model-driven engineering approach for supporting questionnaire-based gap analysis processes through application lifecycle management systems

Gap analysis is a common approach in industry to evaluate the gaps between the implemented software processes and the requirements of process quality frameworks or standard norms. Gap analysis processes are usually executed by means of questionnaires that need to be crafted ad hoc according to specific appraisal goals. The approaches used for developing, compiling and evaluating the answers given to these questionnaires usually do not follow well-defined methodologies or processes, and lack adequate tool support. This paper aims at investigating novel approaches for the execution of questionnaire-based gap analysis (QBGA) processes in industrial practices. We propose the adoption of state-of-the-art software engineering technologies and methodologies like application lifecycle management (ALM) and model-driven engineering (MDE) to support these processes. We perform an industrial survey for understanding the main issues affecting questionnaire-based gap analysis processes in industrial practices. We exploit model-driven engineering for building an ALM-based tool that supports the QBGA process execution and allows us to overcome the emerged process issues. We implement the GADGET tool to apply the MDE approach we use for developing the ALM-based tool. The feasibility of the proposed approach has been evaluated by a case study conducted in the automotive industrial domain. Two different QBGA processes have been configured and implemented in an ALM system with the support of the GADGET tool. The resulting ALM tool was used to perform the gap analysis processes. Semi-structured interviews with the involved industrial personnel were conducted to carry out a qualitative evaluation. The case study results show that the introduction of ALM improves the quality of the questionnaire-based gap analysis processes. Moreover, the adoption of model-driven engineering approach implemented by the GADGET tool provides a viable solution for configuring application lifecycle management systems and supporting the process execution.