Full Lifecycle Methodologies for Agent-Oriented Systems - The Extended Open Process Framework

Abstract

The OPEN Process Framework (OPF) is a componentized OO development methodology underpinned by a full metamodel. Instances of each element of the metamodel are stored in a repository. Individual selections are then made in order to create a personalized process for software development. Originally a development methodology targetted at object technology, the OPF has been recently extended to support agent-oriented information systems. Here, we describe that extension by means of an extended case study. We find that although much work has to be done to deal with `autonomous' components, the scope of the OPEN Process Framework is adequate to absorb this new work. Furthermore, there has been no need to perturb the existing Framework in accommodating these new ideas.