Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology was first developed in 1981. Version 4 was launched in 1990 and is still used. SSADM is freely available for use in industry, and is the official methodology which the government uses for their projects. SSADM is based on the systems development life cycle.
SSADM consists of:.
• Feasibility study.
• Investigation of the current environment .
• Business systems options .
• Definition of requirements .
• Technical system options .
• Logical design (one of the main focus of SSADM).
• Physical design (one of the main focus of SSADM).
These stages are even further broken down into more complex stages.
SSADM main merits include:.
• Improve project management & control .
• Make more effective use of experienced and inexperienced staff .
• Develop better quality systems .
• Doesn't cause a major disaster when a staff member is lost.
• Enable projects to be supported by computer-based tools such as computer-aided software engineering systems .
• Establish a good framework for communications between people involved in the project .
The techniques that SSADM concentrate on include,.
• Use of diagrams, e.g. DFDs.
• Data flow modelling, documenting the data requirements of the system.
• Logical data modelling, documenting the way data moves around the current system.
• Entity behaviour modelling, documents the way events affect entities and the sequence of events.
• Break down of data items which make the system more versatile.
• Mainly used in the creation of data item.
PRINCE 2.
PRINCE 2 is a methodology especially designed for use in the IT area, and is used internationally and was developed in the UK. Documents with templates and clear decision making are characteristics of PRINCE 2.