An experience with structured methodology: the ASCS Data Share project

The author discusses a software development project employing structured methodology to closely coordinate the development of both the software application and the user documentation. This project also employed the expertise of documentation personnel in addressing user-interface questions. Specifically, SCS (Soil Conservation Service) mandated that all future agency software development projects would follow the STRADIS system-life-cycle methodology. STRADIS (structured analysis, design and implementation of information systems) is intended to decrease the risk of wasting money on system development, save time on projects by employing a standard approach, and give management a standard way to assess progress and determine where resources are used. In the fall of 1989, the author became involved with a team working to develop a data communication application for CAMPS (Computer-Assisted Management and Planning System) that would allow the SCS to share information with another federal agency, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). This development project was to apply STRADIS methodology