Method Construction by Goal Analysis

Method engineering proposes the construction of methodologies by selecting method fragments from a repository and assembling then in an appropriate way. However, the rules by which the “optimal” method fragments are chosen are not clear, and such chores are usually done manually by an expert. This paper presents a goal analysis technique for the selection of the optimal method fragments from a repository, using backward reasoning to obtain the set of fragments that satisfy the desired goals with minimum effort. By using this technique, a methodologist can determine the goals that the organisation wants the methodology to satisfy, and then, preferably, rely on automated tools for the selection of the optimal solution.