softwarelevenscyclusmodellen

Softwarelevens is a framework in software engineering for assessing and extending the useful life of software systems. The term combines software with levens, reflecting a focus on longevity, maintainability, and ongoing value. It aims to guide decisions about refactoring, upgrading, or retiring components by balancing cost, risk, and performance over time.

The framework defines lifecycle stages such as initiation, development, deployment, operation, maintenance, modernization, and retirement. It uses metrics like maintenance effort, defect rates, technical debt, compatibility risk, energy use, and total cost of ownership to compare scenarios and support planning.

Origin and use: Softwarelevens arose in discussions of sustainability and long-term viability of software during the 2010s and has appeared in industry reports and some academic work as a holistic lens for lifecycle management. It does not represent a universal standard but a thinking tool that can be adapted to organizational contexts.

Implementation: Practitioners embed Softwarelevens in governance processes, build dashboards, run what-if analyses, and align procurement and maintenance with expected longevity and modernization needs.

Criticism: The approach lacks universal standards for metrics, can rely on uncertain long-term data, and risks misapplication if adopted without clear context. When used carefully, it helps align stakeholders around longevity goals.

See also: software lifecycle, software maintenance, sustainable software engineering, total cost of ownership.