An Experimental Study on Decomposition: Process First or Structure First

Abstract

This article explores the answer to the question of considering the process or the structure dimensions earlier, in software development where decomposition is a preferred technique for top-down model construction. In this research, an experimental study was conducted to observe which software modeling practice is more convenient: process or structural modeling, for the beginning. The study was conducted in different courses that include software modeling where students work within groups to model a system with predefined requirements. The students used Business Process Modeling Notation and Component-Oriented Software Engineering Modeling Language modeling tools. Observations based on the results are analyzed and discussed. The results seem to prioritize the process dimension.