Towards a Holistic Integration of Software Lifecycle Processes Using the Semantic Web

For comprehensive software lifecycle processes, a trichotomy continues to subsist between the software development processes, enterprise IT processes, and the software runtime environment. Currently, integrating software lifecycle processes requires substantial effort, and the information needed for the execution of (semi-)automated software lifecycle workflows is not readily accessible and is typically scattered across semantically heterogeneous sources. Consequently, an interrupted flow of information ensues between the development/maintenance phases and operational phases in the software lifecycle, resulting in ignorance, inefficiencies, and suboptimal product quality and support levels. Furthermore, today’s abstract IT (e.g., ITIL) and software processes are often derived into concrete processes and workflows manually, causing errors, extensive effort, and limiting widespread adoption of best practices. This paper describes an approach for improving information flow throughout the software lifecycle via the (semi-)automated realization of abstract software lifecycle processes and workflows in combination with Semantic Web technologies.