A framework for understanding the integration of design methodologies

Abstract

Software researchers and practitioners have studied and used a number of approaches to integrating major design paradigms in order to improve Software Design Methodologies (SDMs). Software tool developers have developed tools to aid the integration and customization of existing SDM support tools. However, a framework for understanding and guiding various integration and customization processes is still lacking. Because of this users, even with tool support, often fail to systematically integrate SDMs and SDM support tools.In this paper, we define a framework that can be used to understand various SDM integrations and customizations. Through this definition, we describe what kinds of integrations are useful, what difficulties are to be met, and how the integrity of the SDMs can be maintained.