 - SSADM (Structured Systems Analysis & Design Method) is a widely-used computer application development method in the UK, where its use is often specified as a requirement for government computing projects. It is increasingly being adopted by the public sector in Europe. SSADM is in the public domain, and is formally specified in British Standard BS7738.SSADM divides an application development project into modules, stages, steps, and tasks, and provides a framework for describing projects in a fashion suited to managing the project. SSADM's objectives are to: - Improve project management & control
- Make more effective use of experienced and inexperienced developmentstaff
- Develop better quality systems
- Make projects resilient to the loss of staff
- Enable projects to be supported by computer-based tools such as computer-aided software engineering systems
- Establish a framework for good communications between participants in a project
SSADM covers those aspects of the life-cycle of a system from the feasibility study stage to the production of a physical design; it is generally used in conjunction with other methods, such as PRINCE, which is concerned with the broader aspects of project management. In detail, SSADM sets out a cascade or waterfall view of systems development, in which there are a series of steps, each of which leads to the next step. (This might be contrasted with the rapid application development - RAD - method, which pre-supposes a need to conduct steps in parallel.). SSADM's steps, or stages, are: - Feasibility
- Investigation of the current environment
- Business systems options
- Definition of requirements
- Technical system options
- Logical design
- Physical design
For each stage, SSADM sets out a series of techniques and procedures, and conventions for recording and communicating information pertaining to these - both in textual and diagramatic form. SSADM is a very comprehensive model, and a characteristic of the method is that projects may use only those elements of SSADM appropriate to the project. SSADM is supported by a number of CASE tool providers.
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Learn more about Traditional software models (RUP, V-Model, CMM, Waterfall) |
| Can traditional project management and agile development coexist?: Are traditional project managers and agile practitioners fundamentally at odds? Or can they live together and even complement each other? |
| Survey: Agile interest high, but waterfall still used by many: While there's a strong interest in new software development techniques, SearchSoftwareQuality.com's recent survey found that many still follow traditional development practices. |
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CMMI: Good process doesn't always lead to good quality: Having a process such as CMMI in place doesn't guarantee quality software or systems, says Bill Curtis, co-author of CMM. You can still have defects. |
| Addressing software quality issues with development models, methods: Each development model has its own practices for building quality software. The challenge is determining which one fits your needs. The resources here can help you decide. |
| Testers debate differences between waterfall, Agile test automation: Two professional testers continue the timeless debate, agile vs waterfall, which is the best methodology for test-driven software development. |
| Test-driven testing face-off: Waterfall vs. Agile: Most software test pros pick a preferred methology and stand by it, in this tip two testers square-off, one advocating for agile development, the other in the waterfall corner. |
| Solving problems with session-based test management: A veteran software tester gives real-life examples of using session-based test management in Scrum, RUP and in a completely ad hoc environment. |
| Best practices for moving testers from waterfall to agile development: Software testers moving from a waterfall environment to the agile development model don't have to be driven to the head-banging stage of frustration. |
| CONTRIBUTORS: |
Simon Smith |
| LAST UPDATED: |
17 Mar 2008
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