Problem-oriented approaches are predicated on the principle that designing effective
solutions requires a detailed understanding of the problem. Software engineers recognise the
practical difficulties of precisely and completely defining the problem up-front. As such,
problem-oriented approaches to software engineering recognise the need for a gradual and
continuous refinement of a problem description during the software engineering process to
identify new or previously missed context elements and requirements. Problem-oriented
approaches to software engineering are therefore concerned with research and practice
relating to the elicitation and validation of problem statements, and the principled
transformation of problem statements into design solutions.
IWAAPO is concerned with recent developments in problem-oriented approaches as they
apply to software and systems engineering, open challenges in the area and future directions
for research and practice. IWAAPO is a development of the IWAAPF workshop series which
focussed on Michael Jackson’s Problem Frames. Problem orientation is maturing, and other
approaches motivated by a similar focus on the problem are being explored alongside the
continuing Problem Frames research. In this workshop, all problem oriented research is
welcome!

OBJECTIVES:
· To raise awareness of problem-oriented approaches to software engineering;
· To report on problem-oriented approaches in practice;
· To consider real-world scenarios that benefit from a problem-oriented approach;
· To understand and advance the current state of art in problem-orientation;
· To develop the theoretical aspects of problem-orientation in software engineering;
· To report on empirical evaluation of problem-oriented approaches;
· To develop a consensus on the fundamental concepts of problem-orientation;
· To develop a clear direction for future research in the area.

SUBMISSIONS:
Submitted papers should involve, address or consider aspects of problem-orientation. We
would especially encourage real world application and experience of problem-oriented
approaches. Papers should relate to, but are not restricted to, the following topics:

· Foundations of Problem Orientation
· Structuring problem descriptions
· Problem description elicitation and validation
· Applications of Problem Orientation
· Problem orientation within software development processes
· Transforming problem descriptions into design solutions
· Empirical or comparative evaluations of problem-oriented approaches

Papers are to be submitted via CyberChair. Submissions must conform to the IEEE
Transactions on Software Engineering format. See http://www.iwaapo.org for details.

IMPORTANT DATES:Submission deadline: 31st January 2010
Author notification: 15th February 2010
Camera-ready copies: 21st February 2010 (hard deadline)