Requirements Engineering: From System Goals to UML Models to Software Specifications Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not for the happy go lucky requirements gatherer. It is a detailed breakdown of everything requirements engineering for software intensive systems. It will make you think.
The book describes the KAOS method in detail and the author uses Objectiver as the modeling tool. Sometimes a book is not worth buying when you are not using the tool. That is not the case with this book. It is packed with valuable advice and examples.
Reading the book did prompt me to download Objectiver. Very cool tool, but it is also complex. Complex is not a bad thing when you consider this book is about an engineering discipline, and engineering is needed because you are trying to do something complex.
The author covers the fundamentals of Requirements Engineering in detail in the first part of the book, Building System Models for Requirements Engineering in part two, and then Reasoning About System Models in part three.
This book does exactly what the title says, it shows you how to go from System Goals to UML Models to Software Specifications.
If you are building complex systems, this book is definitely for you.
I highly recommend this book, and have nothing negative to say about.

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Essential comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of requirements engineering
Requirements engineering (RE) deals with the variety of prerequisites that must be met by a software system within an organization in order for that system to produce stellar results. With that explanation in mind, this must-have book presents a disciplined approach to the engineering of high-quality requirements. Serving as a helpful introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of requirements engineering, this guide offers a comprehensive review of the aim, scope, and role of requirements engineering as well as best practices and flaws to avoid.
Shares state-of-the-art techniques for domain analysis, requirements elicitation, risk analysis, conflict management, and more
Features in-depth treatment of system modeling in the specific context of engineering requirements
Presents various forms of reasoning about models for requirements quality assurance
Discusses the transitions from requirements to software specifications to software architecture

In addition, case studies are included that complement the many examples provided in the book in order to show you how the described method and techniques are applied in practical situations.

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Applying Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML: An Annotated e-Commerce Example Review

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(More customer reviews)All of the different jobs found in software development are learned in two ways. Either through trial and error on the job or by working through examples. The first is the most effective, but by far the most expensive. While the second is less thorough, it is cheaper and reduces the cost when you make the inevitable move to the first. Since object modeling is always open to many differing interpretations, learning how to create and use them has a slow learning curve. The best approach to learning how to model objects is to find and plow through detailed, complete examples, which of course presupposes that such examples exist. Well, they do and some of the best are found in this book.
The approach is one that maximizes the teaching effectiveness. An Internet bookstore project is created from the beginning. It is large enough to be instructive yet not so large that it becomes unwieldy. The authors then take you through the sequence of steps:
1) Domain Modeling, 2) Use Case Modeling, 3) Requirements Review, 4) Robustness Analysis, 5) Preliminary Design Review, 6) Sequence Diagrams, and 7) Critical Design Review.
What is different about this book is that after the explanation of the development stage, there is a top ten list of common errors made in that stage followed by an example described in UML. The UML diagram includes some of the errors in the list and they are pointed out and explained. This really drives the point of the error home.
The book is a distillation of the experience of the authors as they built a comparable system. They documented the complete process via videotape and then distilled their actions, including errors, down to the material in the book. This has led to some very good examples of how to model development at all stages and will certainly help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls as you make the treacherous, exhaustive and gratifying move from idea to product.

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In this first-ever use case workbook, proven authors Doug Rosenberg and Kendall Scott help developers and analysts put their use case knowledge to the test, in real-world projects. A perfect companion to the authors' breakthrough Use Case Driven Modeling with UML -- or any other introductory guide to use cases -- this book offers systematic hands-on practice in implementing use cases, based on the authors' unparalleled experience in teaching working developers. This workbook dissects the design of an Internet bookstore, step-by-step, in exceptional detail -- showing common mistakes in building use cases, and how the models look once they've been corrected. The authors provide hands-on practice with every aspect of use case development with UML, including requirements review, domain modeling, use case modeling, preliminary design review, robustness analysis, sequence diagrams, critical design review, and more. The book also contains five valuable "Top 10" lists, including lists of errors in robustness analysis and sequence diagramming.For all systems analysts, software architects, software engineers, and developers interested in working with UML or strengthening their current UML skills.

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The Microguide to Process Modeling in BPMN Review

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(More customer reviews)I like the idea the authors had about a micro guide, sometimes these topics can be daunting and offering a book that can be read in a day to get up to speed is a great idea. There are some possible improvements and not necessarily criticisms, the flow of the book could use some improvement, In some chapters a topic is introduced at the beginning but then the authors go off on a tangent though relevant I found myself going back and rereading the start of the chapter thinking I had missed something only to find that topic discussed towards the end. I think the best improvement they could have made was to use consistent real life modeling examples, early in the book the authors suggest they will explore some common archetypes and then list them with participants and sub processes but then use examples like making a PBJ sandwich instead of using any of the processes they mentioned. The authors also introduce what they call the Process Modeling framework which makes sense and is a common approach sadly they describe the PMF sequence but never delve into an example that shows a process being modeled from start to finish, though I followed I think a example would have really helped.
Overall I recommend the book and hopefully the authors will update it, certainly I would consider it as a standard book for our analysts but will wait to see if any of the above get addressed.


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With over fifty implementations, Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is an increasingly successful Object Management Group (OMG) standard. Whether you are in government, manufacturing, or business, you can easily and accurately depict your company's processes in BPMN. BPMN Specification 1.1, however, can be abstract, lengthy, and complicated. As a result, learning to use BPMN can be daunting and force professionals to steer clear of it without an efficient and easy way of getting acquainted with the material. The straightforward information that is packed into this book is exactly what is needed. This guide gathers all the ideas, design, and problem-solving of BPMN into one simple, focused book, and offers concrete true-life examples that explain BPMN's approach to process modeling.

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Business Modeling: A Practical Guide to Realizing Business Value (The MK/OMG Press) Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoyed reading this book. The tone was light and the same detailed real-world style examples continued throughout the book. The four types of business models covered were explained simply and clearly. Using the example diagrams, I have begun to create my own business models. Having done business and technical modeling on and off since 1991, this book was a great introduction to some new types of models, the emerging standards, and some excellent tips on techniques for activities that take place around the models such as workshops and simulation. I appreciated the non-technical way that the models were presented, such that both a business-person and a hard-core techie could both get value from the same model. The authors' website promises to provide more details, including updates on tools, and they have been kind in helping me to identify some available tools that might fit my needs.
I am certainly in a better position to incorporate business models into my new and existing business ventures from studying this book.

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As business modeling becomes mainstream, every year more and more companies and government agencies are creating models of their businesses. But creating good business models is not a simple endeavor. Business modeling requires new skills. Written by two business modeling experts, this book shows you how to make your business modeling efforts successful. It provides in-depth coverage of each of the four distinct business modeling disciplines, helping you master them all and understand how to effectively combine them. It also details best practices for working with subject matter experts. And it shows how to develop models, and then analyze, simulate, and deploy them. This is essential, authoritative information that will put you miles ahead of everyone who continues to approach business modeling haphazardly. * Provides in-depth coverage of the four business modeling disciplines:process modeling, motivation modeling, organization modeling, and rules modeling.* Offers guidance on how to work effectively with subject matter experts and how to run business modeling workshops.* Details today's best practices for building effective business models, and describes common mistakes that should be avoided.* Describes standards for each business modeling discipline.* Explains how to analyze, simulate, and deploy business models.* Includes examples both from the authors' work with clients and from a single running example that spans the book.

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Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML : A Practical Approach (Addison-Wesley Object Technology Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)"Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML, A Practical Approach" is perhaps the best book on the market for a down-to-earth, hands-on introduction to the Unified Process. As the title suggests, it leans heavily on the methodology of Ivar Jacobson, one of the three amigos. If you are trying to figure out what to do or where to start, this will point you in the right direction.
Three things in particular I liked about the book:
1. "The Approach in a Nutshell" as well as constant reference back to it.
2. The lists of ten.
3. The chapter on "robustness analysis" showing the transition from analysis to design (always a difficult transition in any methodology). This is the best part of the book in my opinion. It was real "hands-on".
"The Approach in a Nutshell" gives a great overview of the process including milestones, and provides a framework for everything to fit into. As the reader progresses through the book, each chapter summarizes that part of "the approach in a nutshell" that the chapter fits into. If this was the only feature in the book, it would be worth the price.
If you have ever read another series with "lists of ten", these are better. The lists of ten (there are over half-a-dozen) are worth taping up on the walls. They reflect the experience of someone who has been there and done that. The lists of ten alone are worth the price of the book.
The transition from analysis to design has rather heavy focus in this book, and deservedly so. Going from analysis to design is tricky in any methodology, and "Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML, A Practical Approach" shines in this area. The authors refer to this as "robustness analysis," and this section alone is worth the price of the book.
This won't be the only book concerning the Unified Process that you will ever buy. But it is more than likely going to be one of the most useful to you.
This is not a tutorial on the UML; purchase "UML Distilled, Second Edition" by Martin Fowler and Kendall Scott if that is what you are looking for. The title may be slightly misleading in this respect. The real focus is on the "Practical Approach" part. If you are trying to sort out HOW TO DO IT, then this is a necessary addition to your library. It won't replace your books on the UML or the Unified Process, but it will help you pull it all together into a cohesive whole so you can get a grasp on how to start and how to proceed.
In addition to being very informative and clear in direction, the book is also surprisingly interesting to read. Its clarity and brevity keep it simple. You won't get bogged down reading this one. It is very well written.

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Use Case Modeling Review

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(More customer reviews)Given the many misconceptions in the software community regarding what use cases are, and how to develop and apply them, Bittner and Spence present a clear, pragmatic approach to use cases that focuses on the process of synthesizing use cases rather than simply the analytics of syntax, semantics, and diagrams. More than ample time is devoted to use case structure, syntax, semantics, and style. A significant percentage of the book addresses the process and logistical issues associated with team development of a use case model. Comprehensive process discussions are included regarding discovery of actors and use cases,preparing and conducting a use case workshop, finding use case mentors, building a representative team of stakeholders, reviewing use cases, and applying use cases across the lifecycle.
Chapter 10, Here There Be Dragons, will strike a chord with every experienced use case practitioner. As a consultant that develops and reviews use case models for customers, I found this chapter to be on the money. Bittner and Spence identify many improperly-used modeling techniques that often plague organizations during their initial adoption of use cases. Specifically, the sections regarding overuse of extend, include, and generalization relationships deserves much attention.
The Use Case syntax and semantics presented in Bittner and Spence's book is based on the foundational work developed by Ivar Jacobson. Straightforward and useful examples are presented for all of the use case artifacts discussed in the book. Unlike other use case texts that emphasize use case structure, form, and analytically oriented techniques, this book presents sufficient attention to notational elements and invests significantly more in describing pragmatic activities focused on synthesizing use cases that can be effectively leveraged across the lifecycle.
I have recommended Use Case Modeling to my clients as both an introductory as reference book for any project using use cases. The writing style lends itself to the entire spectrum of stakeholders involved in use case development from end users, architects, project managers, and developers.
If you are currently employing use cases, or are considering applying use cases on a project, this book is a MUST HAVE. It de-mystifies much of the confusion surrounding the practical application of use cases, and should be put on par with the early Object Oriented texts of Booch ,Rumbaugh, and Jacobson.

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Use cases are a simple, straightforward -- yet very powerful -- way to express the functional requirements (or behaviors) of a system. Use cases have gained widespread acceptance because they make requirements less ambiguous by specifying exactly when and under what conditions certain behaviors occur. As a result, those who effective employ use cases to model their systems can better deliver projects on time, within budget, and with fewer defects. However, use case modeling is not that easy; it is a practice that comes with characteristics that can impact a project. In this new book, the authors allow you to benefit from their considerable experience making use cases work well in a number of different environments. With the advice, tips, and tricks presented herein, the reader will be further along the path to understanding and exploiting the power of use cases, and ultimately constructing better applications. In writing this book, the authors have worked closely with use case founder Ivar Jacobson, and the book is unique in that it presents a Rational Software Corporation-centric examination of this topic.

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