Some basic information on the way this module was taught can be found here.
There are a number of books on the topic of systems design methodologies (SDM) which are suitable for this type of course. To simplify the search, I have created a list of SDM text books that I used with this course.
The original module had a collection of journal articles available on-line, however as most of these are available through subscription. There is still a list of the articles used in SDM available and if you might want to search out some material for your self, you may find the MIS links page useful.
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Session |
Topic |
Detailed Content |
Indicative Content |
|
1 |
System Design Methodologies |
Complete and closed systems; Programs and Formal Languages; Software and Formal Languages; The difference between programs and software |
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|
2 |
Managing Change and Complexity |
Reality, representations and descriptions; Managing complexity; Managing change; Systems Development Methodologies |
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3 |
Empiricism, realism and rationalism |
Reality, Representations and Descriptions revisited; Philosophy and the history software design; Philosophy and the history change; The shape of things to come |
|
|
4 |
Formal Methodologies |
A review of the theory; Types of Formal Methods; Success and lack of success; An example from life |
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5 |
Semi-formal Methodologies |
A review of the theory; Types of semi-formal method; Strengths and weaknesses; What happens in practice |
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6 |
Object Orientated Methodologies |
A review of the theory; Why UML is not a methodology; Types of Object Oriented method; Strengths and weaknesses; What happens in practice |
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7 |
Holistic Methodologies |
A review of the theory; Two types of Holistic method; Strengths and weaknesses; What happens in practice |
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8 |
Blended Methodologies |
A review of the theory, The contingency Approach, The Blended Approach, Strengths and weaknesses, What happens in practice |
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9 |
An Introduction to Incommensurability |
Review and revision; Incommensurability |
Here are some Software Engineering Proverbs that have been collected by Tom Van Vleck.