The MEMA-model: towards a new approach for Method Engineering

doi:10.1016/0950-5849(95)01087-4

Information and Software Technology

Volume 38, Issue 4, 1996, Pages 295-305

https://doi.org/10.1016/0950-5849(95)01087-4 Get rights and content

Abstract

Method Engineering is defined as the construction of an information systems development (ISD) approach which is customized to suit the actual project situation. Customizing an ISD-approach to suit the actual situation in most cases means that more than one design method or parts thereof are used. Selecting and especially combining (parts of) methods is one of the main topics in the field of Method Engineering. This paper is intended to serve as a contribution in the effort to solve this problem. It describes the MEMA-model as an approach for Method Engineering.

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Cited by (55)

A pattern-based model-driven approach for situational method engineering
2016, Information and Software Technology
Citation Excerpt :
In [18], MDD has been applied to method tailoring for specific project situations. SME approaches that are not model-driven by name, but highly resemble classical MDD approaches: In [19], a three-level scheme has been used for describing the target methodology, which resembles the multi-level modeling scheme typically used in MDD approaches; the levels include: General level, model level, and project level. In [20], a method has been introduced to develop a methodology based on specific requirements; the method is applied in three steps, which involve multi-level specifications: Method requirements engineering, method design, and method implementation.
Constructing bespoke software development methodologies for specific project situations has become a crucial need, giving rise to Situational Method Engineering (SME). Compared with Software Engineering, SME has a long way to go yet; SME approaches are especially deficient as to support for modeling, portability, and automation. Model-Driven Development (MDD) has been effectively used for addressing these issues in Software Engineering, and is also considered a promising approach for resolving them in SME.
This paper aims to address the shortcomings of existing SME approaches by introducing a novel MDD approach, specifically intended for SME purposes, that uses a pattern-based approach for model transformation.
Developing a MDD approach for SME requires that a modeling framework, consisting of modeling levels, be defined for modeling software development methodologies. Transformation patterns should also be specified for converting the models from one level to the next. A process should then be defined for applying the framework and transformations patterns to real SME projects. The resulting MDD approach requires proper evaluation to demonstrate its applicability.
A framework and a semi-automated process have been proposed that adapt pattern-based model transformation techniques for application to the methodology models used in SME. The transformation patterns have been implemented in the Medini-QVT model transformation tool, along with two supplementary method bases: one for mapping the situational factors of SME projects to requirements, and the other for mapping the requirements to method fragments. The method engineer can produce the methodology models by using the method bases and executing the transformation patterns via the tool.
The validity of the proposed approach has been assessed based on special evaluation criteria, and also through application to a real-world project. Evaluation results indicate that the proposed approach addresses the deficiencies of existing approaches, and satisfies the practicality requirements of SME approaches.
A proposal for a framework to classify and review contingent information system design methods
2008, Computers and Industrial Engineering
Today, information systems (IS) and related information technologies occupy a prime position in our organizations. However, over 60% of IS projects represent a failure. In this boarder, the contingent and modular design methods, which enable to adapt the steps of the project to the context and to use several method fragments and techniques in a combined manner, seem promising. However, they do not reach expected efficiency since the failure rate remains high. Existing propositions emphasise the description of such methods, but there is no means to understand the underlying logic of integrated contingency approaches. Such means are however essential to help clarifying and analysing existing contingent approaches and to assist researchers in developing more innovative contingent methods. The paper is an attempt to explore some of the issues underlying contingent IS design methods and to propose a framework for their classification. The framework is a 3-dimensional framework which advocates that a contingent design method can be well defined by its contingency level, characterization type and adaptation mode. After reviewing eight existing methods according to the framework, these are analysed and further research directions are highlighted.
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The MEMA-model: towards a new approach for Method Engineering

Abstract

The method doesn't work

Informatie

The mirage of universal methods in systems design

Journal of Applied Systems Analysis

Towards a tool kit for the systems analyst

The Computer Journal

Basic concepts of system development (article in Dutch)

Informatie

A combined methodology for information systems analysis and design based on ISAC and NIAM

Information Systems

The ISAC-driven transition between requirements analysis and ER conceptual modelling

Information Systems

Situational method engineering for information system project approaches