Publications Details

The ultimate CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering) tool

Sharp, J.K.

The theory and practice of information engineering is being actively developed at Sandia National Laboratories. The main output of Sandia is information. Information is created, analyzed and distributed. It is the life blood of our design laboratory. The proper management of information will have a large, positive impact on staff productivity. In order to achieve the potential benefits of shared information a commonly understood approach is needed, and the approach must be implemented in a CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering) tool that spans the entire life cycle of information. The commonly understood approach used at Sandia is natural language. More specifically, it is a structured subset of English. Users and system developers communicate requirements and commitments that they both understand. The approach is based upon NIAM (Nijssen's Information Analysis Methodology). In the last three years four NIAM training classes have been given at Sandia. The classes were all at the introductory level, with the latest class last October having an additional seminar highlighting successful projects. The continued growth in applications using NIAM requires an advanced class. The class will develop an information model for the Ultimate CASE Tool.'' This paper presents the requirements that have been established for the Ultimate CASE Tool'' and presents initial models. 4 refs., 1 tab.