Using Tranformation Rules to Align Requirements and Archictectural Models

In previous works we have defined the STREAM strategy to align requirements and architectural models. It includes four activities and several transformations rules that could be used to support the systematic generation of a structural architectural model from goal oriented requirements models. The activities include the Preparation of Requirements Models, Generation of Architectural Solutions, Selection of Architectural Solution and Refinement of the Architecture. The first two activities are time consuming and rely on four horizontal and four vertical transformation rules which are current performed manually, requiring much attention from the analyst. For example, the first activity consists of the refactoring of the goal models, while the second one derives architectural models from the refactored i* (iStar) models. In this paper we automate seven out of the eight transformation rules of the two first activities of STREAM approach. The transformation language used to implement the rules was QVTO. We rely on a running example to illustrate the use of the automated rules. Hence, our approach has the potential to improve the process productivity and the quality of the models produced.