I want to pilot software product lines in my organization. What are the criteria for a good pilot project?
The general criteria are the same as for any pilot project. It should be manageable but not too complex. It should be strategic but not so central that the failure of the pilot will bring down the organization. It should build on strengths rather than weaknesses. Specific to product lines, a pilot should be in an established and well-understood problem area and be led by some of the best innovators. Starting with a legacy system rather than starting from scratch makes sense if the legacy system is in good health (that is, if it’s architecturally sound, well documented, and uses modern technologies). If an established core asset base is available to jump-start the product line, so much the better. Finally, the scope of the pilot should be narrow enough for results to be achieved and assessed quickly. See the “Launching and Institutionalizing” practice area for more information.
