A case study in traceability

In 1987, a major engineering project took place whose aim was to develop a high speed electromechanical device which was to be controlled by some 30 microprocessors. The software development followed the YOURDON method supported by the Teamwork analysis and design tool. The project was not an unqualified success. One part delivered later than predicted, but the deliverables were complete and showed a lower defect frequency than previous products. The other part by contrast, delivered some two years late after several defeaturing exercises. It was suggested that the difference in productivity was partly due to the fact that the YOURDON guidelines had been followed more closely in the successful part. In addition the successful part had employed quite rigorous progress and quality measurement techniques. When a new project was begun it was desirable to ensure that progress would be tracked, that all parts of the YOURDON models could be traced to particular requirements and that quality assurance could detect nonconformance to the guidelines efficiently and effectively. The paper describes how the project team went about using the features offered by Teamwork to achieve the required improved control over the analysis and design process