The SESAME project

A large proportion of Logica´s work is concerned with the development of software. It is therefore fundamental that the methods and tools used are geared to the production of highquality software in an efficient manner. Project SESAME was initiated in 1983 to ensure that this continues to happen in the face of the rapid improvements which are now taking place in software technology. This paper describes: the history of the project and its objectives; the approach adopted to introducing new technology, covering the organisational issues raised and the trade-offs between persuasion and compulsion; the choices made in specific areas of software engineering tools and methods, and the reasons for these choices; the activities carried out, including the documents provided to Logica staff and the training programme which has been initiated; the implications for other areas such as quality standards; and the lessons that have been learned.