Systems development without pain: A user's guide to modeling organizational patterns

Direct communication between DP professionals and users is crucial in developing a successful system. In Systems Development Without Pain, Paul T. Ward introduces A Systems Modeling Language (ASML), a step-by-step approach to defining systems requirements by identifying and modeling patterns in the work environment. ASML removes the usual language barriers between technical and nontechnical experts, enabling users to effectively communicate their needs. The result is a system that finally fulfills the promise of automated technology to enhance the user's productivity. Appropriate for both people experienced in systems development and novices, ASML builds on, but simplifies, the concepts of structured analysis. It is the first technique to integrate data modeling with process modeling, demonstrating the importance of their correlation. With ASML, a statement of requirements can be created quickly, since building a detailed model of a system to be modified is not necessary. With nearly 200 diagrams and examples from everyday life, Systems Development Without Pain helps develop an open, trouble-free relationship among all the people involved in systems development. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul T. Ward has nearly twenty years of experience in data processing, many of those in developing systems with heavy end user participation. As a project leader and senior analyst for a mechanical equipment manufacturer, he guided to im-plementation large manufacturing systems that required in¬tensive involvement by users in requirements definition. As a database manager at the same company, he selected and in¬stalled a database management system. Since 1981, Paul T. Ward has been an instructor and consultant at YOURDDN inc. Most recently, he was named Technical Director for Systems Development. He holds a PhD in physical chemistry from Cornell University.