A Taxonomy and Evaluation for Systems Analysis Methodologies in a Workflow Context: Structured Systems Analysis Design Method (SSADM), Unified Modelling Language

Complex information systems require a methodology for their development in a structured manner. Many different methodologies exist, each sui table for a particular type of application. In this report we develop a taxonomy covering 14 different classification features for methodologies targeted at the workflow area. Features identified include concerns, method structure, data gathering means, pe ople involved, notations, decomposition, policies, reuse, adaptability, flexibility, exception handling, method output, CASE tool and quality assurance. The capabilities of a number of methodologies are expressed in tabular form relative to this taxonomy for workflow systems and to a more general taxonomy dealing with both hardand soft-system aspects. The results show that there is no methodology that covers all of the taxonomic aspects identified. Organisational Process Modelling (OPM) and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) are relatively strong on soft aspects and weak on hard aspects. Unified Modelling Language (UML) and Unified Process are relatively strong on hard aspects and weak on soft aspects. Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM) is perhaps the most comprehensive but some soft aspects are omitted. The combination of techniques such as UML and Workflow is identified as a way forward.