Investigating Advances in the Acquisition of Systems Based on Open Architecture and Open Source Software

Abstract

In 2007-08, we began an investigation of problems, issues, and opportunities that arise during the acquisition of software systems that rely on open architectures and open source software. The current effort funded for 2009-10 (funding received in 2010) seeks to continue and build on the results in this area while refining its focus to center on the essential constraints and tradeoffs we have identified for software-intensive systems with open architecture (OA) and continuously evolving open source software (OSS) elements. The U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy have all committed to an open technology development strategy that encourages the acquisition of software systems whose requirements include the development or composition of an OA for such systems, and the use of OSS systems, components, or development processes when appropriate. Our goal is to further develop and document foundations for emerging policy and guidance for acquiring software systems that require OA and that incorporate OSS elements. This report documents and describes the findings and results that we have produced as a result of our research into the area of the acquisition of software systems that rely on OA and OSS. In particular, it includes two research papers that have been refereed, reviewed, presented, and published in national and international research conferences, symposia, and workshops. The first of these papers has been published in the Journal of the Association for Information Systems (JAIS), a top-tier international academic research journal, while the second was originally presented at the 2010 Acquisition Research Symposium in May 2010 and is also under consideration for publication in another international research journal. Three other refereed research papers were also produced, two were included at international research conferences, and one as an invited book chapter. All five of these research publications are included in this report.