Product line introduction in a multi-business line context. An experience report B.J. Pronk Philips Medical Systems

Contents The context, Philips Medical Systems The product line set-up Organization Problems

Philips Medical Systems

The product line set-up The approach, a common architecture for a number of products from different business lines Implement everything used by > 2 products in a platform Achieve High reuse percentage (>75%)

The product line set-up Technical: –Standard PC/PCI infrastructure with industrial PC –Intel 960RP for real time PCB’s –Windows-NT platform for host –C++/MFC as main language –VxWorks/RMX for real time parts –C as main language –(D)COM as interface technique

The product line set-up Component frameworks as main variation structure –A set of interfaces (provides + requires) –A framework with general functionality –A (variable) set of plug-in components One platform, reused as a single component –Platform implements all generic functionality –Binary reuse of platform that defines fixed variation points –Each variation point is a component framework –Specific functionality in separate components

The product line set-up

Organization Set-up according Jacobsson/Griss model –AFE, architecture family engineering: Definition of architecture, generic vs. specific, variation points. –CSE, component system engineering: Implementation of the platform. –ASE, application system engineering: Implementation of actual products

Organization

Main problem areas –Subcritical ASE’s –Decision model/responsibilities for platform –Competence struggles/reallocation of responsibilities Now organized as multi BL projects, introducing a widening scope of products.