A Framework for Assessing the Adequacy and Effectiveness of software development methodologies

A framework for evaluating software development methodologies is described. Beginning with the issue of what constitutes a methodology, an evaluation procedure is presented that exploits defined linkages among objectives, principles, and attributes intrinsic to the software development process. The evaluation of software development methodologies reflects an assessment structured by the needs, process, and product sequence for system development. Linkages are defined from recognized software engineering sources, providing a foundation for both objective and subjective "analysis" of a given methodology. Application of the evaluation procedure to two software development methodologies currently used by the United States Navy establishes feasibility of the framework and reveals the inherent power of the evaluation procedure.