SADT/IDEF0 for Augmenting UML, Agile and Usability Engineering Methods

Many experts state that: a) specifying "all the small parts of a system" and b) correct expected system usage, can make Agile Software Development more effective. Unified Modeling Method (UML) addresses the former; Usability Engineering addresses the later. Taken together, they create a systems de-velopment framework, capable of: a) specifying functions, data, behavior and usage, b) rapid prototyping, and c) verifying system usability and correctness. All three of these methods focus first on the system, while secondarily trying to ascertain system context. Correct and complete context requires domain modeling. Structured Analysis and Design Technique (SADT/IDEF0) is a proven way to model any kind of domain. Its power and rigor come from: a) a synthesis of graphics, natural language, hierarchical decomposition, and relative context coding, b) distinguishing controls from transformations, c) function activation rules, and d) heuristics for managing model complexity. This paper explains how SADT/IDEF0 domain modeling can bring correct and complete context, to today’s commonplace disciplines of the Unified Modeling Language (UML), Agile System Development, and Usability Engineering methods.