Authors:
Reuven Gallant
1
and
Leah Goldin
2
Affiliations:
1
Jerusalem College of Technology, Israel
;
2
Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, Israel
Keyword(s):
Software development process model, software process improvement, iterative processes, taxonomy, semiotics, cyclic models, abstraction levels.
Abstract:
The present paper is the product of the authors overall research regarding the efficacy of the software development processes in general and iterative processes in particular. In the context of this research the authors propose taxonomy of process features, the first of which is “Presentational,” the primary focus of this paper. The authors acknowledge the grain of truth in Robert Glass’s iconoclastic dismissal of the process re-engineering endeavors. However, while the “silver bullet” may be illusory, the issues motivating process re-engineering genuine. There is an inherent contradiction between the ways individuals naturally work iteratively (i.e. in an agile manner) and the drive for “moving forward”. In this paper the authors examine several process models, and make observations regarding the effect of abstraction levels and their symbols on the ability to think and act iteratively and effectively harness process in the service of development progress.