Towards Agile System Analysis & Design: Improving Knowledge Transfer Across Domains Using Layered Framework

Abstract: An ongoing problem plaguing system developers is the inability to effectively transfer knowledge from domain experts to IT experts. This is due to many factors, such as not having a systematic and standardized methodology in order to conduct system development tasks, tendency to embed business rules and processes in source code without codifying them, and incomplete documentation of software architecture. In order to address this problem, we propose a layered framework in order to encapsulate system development activities and standards the process of migrating from a business problem into the actual implementation of a software solution to this problem. By providing such a systematic approach to the development process, we improve the ability of project participants to make key decisions about the design of the system and it architecture. Utilizing accepted techniques for modeling, this framework better supports the evolution and maintenance of the system by providing multiple layers of abstraction, as well as providing an environment conducive to iterative development.

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Authors: Amber L. McConahy, Abhijit Dutt