Paving the way for software prototyping

A discussion is given on the software engineering practices of a telecommunications equipment supplier. The company undertakes product design, development, marketing and manufacture for the European market and is part of Philips BCS. The author discusses the company´s activities in the areas of process management, defect analysis process ownership and software prototyping options. The conclusion is that product needs will vary as will the use of prototypes. The longer term goal within the development group is to allow a total product prototype incorporating full integration of the software, hardware and 3D mechanical design aspects of the system/product. The company recognises the importance of prototyping and evolutionary development, the time is now right, for spending more time on the effective management of these important aspects