Knowledge-based method and tool handling

Method and tool selection are defined by a method rule system and a tool rule system. The former defines the order in which methods might be applied to perform a specific software-engineering task. Tools supporting the methods are managed by the tool system. A set of interrelation rules defines the transformation of a methodological refined task into a set of appropriate tools of a selected environment. Parameters and weights are used in both rule systems to distinguish alternative or complementary rules and to define preference for a selection process. Three methods of knowledge acquisition are examined: analysis of handbooks, usage protocols, and expert meeting reports