Change Impact Analysis in Modular Software Architectures

Abstract

Change impact analysis is important for managing modification risks in modular software architectures because changes in one module can affect dependent components, interfaces, data flows, and testing requirements. Modular systems are designed to improve separation of concerns, but hidden dependencies, shared services, reused libraries, and tightly coupled interfaces can still create unexpected propagation effects. Traditional change management often focuses on the directly modified component, but this may overlook indirect impacts across related modules. This article focuses on change impact analysis as a structured method for identifying affected software artifacts before implementation or release. The study discusses how dependency mapping, interface analysis, version history, requirement links, and test coverage data can be used to estimate the scope and risk of software changes. The article concludes that effective change impact analysis can reduce regression defects, improve release planning, support testing prioritization, and strengthen maintainability in modular software architectures.