Thesis chapter 4: Structure of the thesis

Chapter 1 gives a general introduction to mass-produced embedded systems and what characterises them.
Chapter 2 gives some examples of problems in current R&D approaches, defines goals for an R&D organisation, and defines the research questions investigated further in the thesis.
Chapter 3 outlines the research process, used epistemology, lists the cases studied and discusses issues with doing research as native in the organisation studied.
Chapter 4 outlines all chapters in the thesis and describes my individual contribution in chapters 5 to 11.
Chapters 5 and 6 describe three detailed cases of how architectures are developed and maintained for automotive embedded systems. The rich description provides a background of current practice of software development of mass-produced embedded systems.
Chapter 7 identifies and models various approaches to develop embedded software, and relates them to two different businesses. The model was based on a mapping study to identify what broad approaches to embedded software development are used in industry. The study aimed to better understand, and potentially point at an answer to RQ1. Of special interest was how these approaches relate to used architectural styles, which supports further investigation of RQ1.2.
Chapter 8 aims to facilitate agile development for individual teams in the context of large MPES projects. This would allow the length of iterations from idea to implementation to be determined by the potential speed of the individual development teams and not the overall product development project. This provides an answer to RQ1.1.
Chapter 9 designs a compositional architecture for embedded software as precursor for open software ecosystems. The study aimed to answer RQ1.2 and detail the architecture-related issues of RQ1.3.
Chapter 10 explores open software ecosystems as possible approach to development of embedded software as an asnwer to RQ1.3. This would extend the base of innovators beyond what is presently hierarchically directed by the OEM to support delivery of innovative features with value for the customer.
Chapter 11 describes innovation experiment systems for embedded products and defines a reference architecture supporting such an R&D approach. The study aimed to an answer RQ1.2 and RQ1.4.
Chapter 12 summarises the answers to the research questions and design goals in terms of developed artefacts. It also lists the key contributions of the thesis.