Combining models for business decisions and software development

Today there is a number of established software development lifecycle models (SDLM) supporting software development. Correct implementation of these models helps develop software products the right way, but this does not ensure that the right products are developed. Successful product development companies often use business decision models (BDM) to facilitate the selection of products and projects for investment, but these models do not necessarily facilitate actual development of the software. One of the current challenges in the software community is to combine BDM and SDLM, including mapping of business decision gates and major lifecycle milestones. This is needed to achieve synergies between the two model types and to support the development the right products the right way, as well as to gain control over company investments. This paper analyzes two RDM, proposes mappings to an established SDLM, and describes experiences of using them in a large, multinational engineering company.