Eight Practical Considerations in Applying Feature Modeling for Product Lines

Feature modeling has enjoyed success as a widely used variability modeling method in companies utilizing product lines. A number of different feature modeling methods have been proposed with expanded notational concepts and ability to model various dependencies among features. Despite popular usage and relatively simple concepts, different feature modeling methods tend not to explicate their purposes and assumptions and, in particular, how exactly the model is intended to be used. Consequently, many practitioners have a hard time evaluating whether a particular method is good for their purposes. In this paper, we intend to discuss the practical considerations when applying feature models. On the one hand, discussion of these considerations in research papers would clarify the intent of a proposed method. On the other hand, the considerations could help practitioners in clarifying the guiding principles for their feature modeling. In total, we expose eight points of practical considerations that are rarely discussed in research papers. These observations are based our experience of practice and research carried out in close cooperation with several companies.