LIM, MARYLYN GRACE C.

OOA

            Book: Systems Analysis and Design: an Active Approach

            Author: George M. Marakas

            Reference No.: QA

                                    76.9

                                    S88

                                    M37

                                    2001

Chapter 7: CASE Tools and Joint and Rapid Application Development

Quote: “Engineers are not superhuman. They make mistakes in their assumptions, calculations and conclusions.”

Review:

            This chapter discusses 3 things. These are CASE tools, joint application development (JAD) and rapid application development (RAD). CASE tool stands for computer-aided software engineering tool. CASE tool helps a software engineer to maintain and develop software. The main objective of CASE tool is to support each phase of the SDLC with a set of laborsaving tools. These tools are upper case, lower case and life-cycle–spanning case. Upper case focuses on supporting the early phases of the life cycle by providing automated assistance. Lower case focuses on the implementation phases of the life cycle. Lastly, life-cycle-spanning case supports the whole process of analysis, design and implementation. There are 4 important components in modern CASE tools. First, central repository, this represents the central storage and retrieval location for information necessary to analyze, create , design and modify a software application development from the start of the process. Second, modeling and diagramming tools, this assists the analyst in the development and testing of logical models of processes and data structure. Third, prototyping and transformation tools, this enables a quick conversion of requirement defined information a default database and application designs. Fourth, documentation generators, this enables phase-specific documentation from the data contained within the central repository.

            Second thing that is to be discussed in this chapter is the joint application development (JAD). JAD helps bring formal structure and increased effectiveness to the requirements-gathering activities of the early phases of the SDLC and at the same time it improves the efficiency of the information-gathering process. Some of the advantage of JAD is that it helps improve the quality of the information-gathering activities while managing the time and resources needed to gather the information in a more efficient manner. Second, this enhances the development of a shared understanding among the system stakeholders with regards to the system. And lastly, JAD helps improve user motivation and performance.

            Lastly, this chapter talks about RAD or rapid application development. RAD is a method that helps organization to develop and deploy a system more quickly and at the time it maintains quality and reduces development costs. There are 6 advantages that an organization can get from RAD. First, time savings in the project phases are realizable. Second, this reduces the project cost and human resource requirements. Third, RAD blends well with development efforts where time is gold. Fourth, system design changes can be affected more quickly than with the old SDLC approach. Fifth, the user perspective is presented in the final system with regard to both functionality and interface. Lastly, it creates a strong sense of ownership among all project stakeholders.