Summary form only given. COTS-based development (CBD) is gaining ground on traditional development given the benefits it provides. Several methods are proposed to support one or more CBD process steps. However, in practice many problems are faced. These problems are mainly related to the lack of CBD environments, and the difficulty of choosing the appropriate method in each step and then properly applying it. In this paper, we propose a meta-model for the CBD process. To generate it, we use the map process meta-model which allows to specify decision-oriented processes. The proposed CBD meta-model has as intentions the main CBD process steps and as strategies the different types of existing methods allowing to achieve a process step. It exhibits a strategic level capturing knowledge about existing methods. It provides therefore choice guidance of the appropriate method according to the current situation. Besides, it allows the developer to construct his/her customized process depending on the application to develop, his/her preferences and experience with the methods. The use of this meta-model is illustrated through a case study.