Unburdening onboarding in Software Product Lines

TL;DR

This paper addresses the unique challenges of onboarding in Software Product Lines (SPLs) by proposing assistance tools designed to help newcomers understand and develop knowledge in these complex, variable-rich environments.

Contribution

It introduces assistance tools specifically tailored for SPL onboarding, filling a gap in current literature and practice for managing SPL complexity.

Findings

Assistance tools can improve onboarding efficiency in SPLs

Tailored tools address SPL-specific complexities

Enhanced understanding reduces onboarding time

Abstract

The number of studies focusing on onboarding in software organizations has increased significantly during the last years. However, current literature overlooks onboarding in Software Product Lines (SPLs). SPLs have been proven effective in managing the increasing variability of industry software and enabling systematic reuse of a product family. Despite these benefits, SPLs are complex and exhibit particular characteristics that distinguish them from traditional software. Due to these peculiarities, SPLs require a tailor-made onboarding process. Assistance tools might help. In this dissertation, we propose assistance tools (i.e., tools built on top of the software project that help learners understand and develop knowledge) as a means for helping newcomers during onboarding in SPLs.