From Playmobil to Product Lines: towards a visual instrument for variability thinking measurement

Variability is a key concept in Software Product Line Engineering (SPLE), but there is no standardized method to assess the ability to reason about variation points, dependencies, or configuration rules.This absence hinders the evaluation of training outcomes and the empirical analysis of SPL-related practices.This article presents an assessment instrument designed to measure variability in thinking through visual reasoning tasks.The test consists of multiple-choice items that depict configuration scenarios using stylized illustrations inspired by Playmobil figures and settings.Each item focuses on a specific aspect of variability reasoning, such as dependency constraints or valid product derivation.The proposed approach adapts computational thinking assessment techniques to the Software Product Line (SPL) domain.It enables a structured measurement of variability-related reasoning patterns and contributes to the development of assessment methods and the design of educational activities.