Traceability based on design decisions

The authors model the different points of view on a software structure as distinct conceptual models. The mapping among models of the same software structure is made through the assumption of design decisions. This mapping is represented as a graph, the model dependency descriptor, which connects components of source models with those in the target models. A traceability relation is set between components by producing the transitive closure of the model dependency descriptor. The traceability relation which is proposed links objects and also tracks decisions having a role in the transformation. A traceability support system incorporates a number of design databases and implements the model dependency descriptor. Its use enables the management of systems which were developed by using different design methods and different programming environments, and the capturing of the assumptions set during both development and maintenance