Extensions

The qualitative goal achievement reasoning using the Label Propagation Procedure works across all 5 built-in notations, including the NFR Framework, the i* Framework, KAOS, Problem Frames and BPMN.

Below is a possible application of the integrated reasoning across multiple notations.

Other non-built-in notations can participate in goal achievement reasoning via the Extensible Label Propagation mechanism without having to modify RE-Tools source code. For example, RE-Tools version 3.0 includes a separate Agile Profile and an example diagram that include an Epic and three User Stories, as shown below.

In this example, “Availability[All files]” is an NFR Softgoal that is operationalized by “Backup [All files]”, which is in turn implemented by “Backup files” Agile Epic. The Epic is further decomposed to three User Stories, including “Specify what to backup”, “Specify what not to backup” and “Get hint when backup storage is almost full” User Stories.

When all User Stories are marked to be “Satisficed”, the Label Propagation Procedure in RE-Tools automatically marks “Backup[All files” Epic to be “Satisficed” as well based on the label propagation rule for AND decomposition.