The role of object-oriented modelling methods in requirements engineering

Linda L. Dawson

Paul A. Swatman

pp. 353-368

in: Trevor Wood Harper, Nimal Jayaratna, Bob Wood (eds), Methodologies for developing and managing emerging technology based information systems, Berlin, Springer, 1999

Abstract

In recent years many organisations have been moving to the use of object-oriented methods for the development of information systems. Many claims have been made about the efficacy of object-oriented methods for specifying and building software and information systems. Several studies have looked at small groups (often students) using object-oriented methods for small one-off exercises or problems. These studies lack information about how real systems are being developed in practice. There is a need to investigate the use of object-oriented methods by practising professionals in the production of requirements specifications for "real world" sized projects. In this paper firstly we outline a conceptual framework of "what might be happening" in professional object-oriented requirements engineering based on the common characteristics of published, well known objectoriented methods. Secondly, we describe a research plan for a set of case studies that are currently being undertaken.