Software Reuse: Architecture, Process and Organization for Business Success

Object technology is believed to be crucial in achieving the long sought-after goal of widespread reuse. This goal is the most frequently stated reason for adopting OT. Unfortunately, many people naively equate reuse with objects, expecting it to “automatically” ensure reuse, but often do not get much reuse. Based on my experience with reuse at HP, Objectory and Rational, and with many customers, I know that without extensive changes to support component-based development and systematic reuse, OT as used today will not succeed in giving users reuse. Without an explicit reuse agenda, and a systematic approach to the design and use of reusable components and frameworks, 00 reuse will not succeed. In almost all cases of successful reuse, architecture, a dedicated component development and support group, management support, and a stable domain were the keys to success. These largely non-technical issues seem to be more important to successful reuse than the specific language or design chosen.