Automated runtime change management and business adaptation for distributed software systems

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Market needs and technological advancements have led to an increased digitization of modern business, where software plays a central role and is present in an increasing number of activities. At the same time, software itself is becoming more modular, distributed and dynamic than ever, so that we talk about systems of systems and software ecosystems. In this setting, frequent changes can be highly disruptive for business, especially when ownership of the system components is distributed and decision-making is independent. The core challenge for a business is to build and manage a software system, which will be robust against change maintaining each quality and profitability in the face of constant change. The main argument of this proposal is that this challenge can be addressed by integrating the various processes of software, development, operations management and business management. The proposed research will achieve this integration of DevOps (development/operations) with BizOps (business operations) by developing hybrid models, with both technical (quality, performance, security) and economic (price, advertisement, cost) parameters. These models will be incorporated in decision-support systems and eventually development and runtime management tools to facilitate stakeholders with maintaining both the quality of their software and its profitability at the same time in a highly distributed and dynamic environment. The developed platforms will provide the various practitioners (developers, IT staff, QA experts, managers) with a systemic view of their software and its operating environment. ICT is one of the fastest growing sectors in Canada and worldwide. With digital economy gaining prevalence and becoming a strategic goal on a federal level, there is an increasing number of software-centric or software-intensive companies. While companies are eager to adopt new technologies, the respective business models or how they have to be adapted in the new conditions are not yet clear. The economic benefits from the proposed research can be of high potential. Early research has shown that SMEs, which account for a large portion of employment and contribution to GDP, can particularly benefit from such tools. For bigger companies, the benefit comes in the form of a stronger client ecosystem, especially in an increasingly competitive market. Finally, the proposed methods can be used with non-monetary indices, like benefit and risk, and assist with most business decision around software change.