TY - JOUR
T1 - How organisation of architecture documentation affects architectural knowledge retrieval
AU - de Graaf, K.A.
AU - Liang, P.
AU - Tang, A.
AU - Vliet, J.C.
PY - 2016/6
Y1 - 2016/6
N2 - A common approach to software architecture documentation in industry projects is the use of file-based documents. This approach offers a single-dimensional arrangement of the architectural knowledge. Knowledge retrieval from file-based architecture documentation is efficient if the organisation of knowledge supports the needs of the readers; otherwise it can be difficult. In this paper, we compare the organisation and retrieval of architectural knowledge in a file-based documentation approach and an ontology-based documentation approach. The ontology-based approach offers a multi-dimensional organisation of architectural knowledge by means of a software ontology and semantic wiki, whereas file-based documentation typically uses hierarchical organisation by directory structure and table of content. We conducted case studies in two companies to study the efficiency and effectiveness of retrieving architectural knowledge from the different organisations of knowledge. We found that the use of better knowledge organisation correlates with the efficiency and effectiveness of AK retrieval. Professionals who used the knowledge organisation found this beneficial.
AB - A common approach to software architecture documentation in industry projects is the use of file-based documents. This approach offers a single-dimensional arrangement of the architectural knowledge. Knowledge retrieval from file-based architecture documentation is efficient if the organisation of knowledge supports the needs of the readers; otherwise it can be difficult. In this paper, we compare the organisation and retrieval of architectural knowledge in a file-based documentation approach and an ontology-based documentation approach. The ontology-based approach offers a multi-dimensional organisation of architectural knowledge by means of a software ontology and semantic wiki, whereas file-based documentation typically uses hierarchical organisation by directory structure and table of content. We conducted case studies in two companies to study the efficiency and effectiveness of retrieving architectural knowledge from the different organisations of knowledge. We found that the use of better knowledge organisation correlates with the efficiency and effectiveness of AK retrieval. Professionals who used the knowledge organisation found this beneficial.
KW - Software architecture documentation
KW - software architectural knowledge
KW - architectural knowledge retrieval
KW - software ontologies
KW - semantic wiki
KW - ontology-based documentation
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84959419834
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84959419834&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.scico.2015.10.014
DO - 10.1016/j.scico.2015.10.014
M3 - Article
SN - 0167-6423
VL - 121
SP - 75
EP - 99
JO - Science of Computer Programming
JF - Science of Computer Programming
ER -