Systems & Software Engineering

Lesson SS1: Find a new engineering process for your CBS effort.

A new process is needed for your approach to COTS-based systems, since so many of the customary activities are changed and new ones are necessary. Contrary to the myth that you don't need to engineer your system when you're using COTS products, you will need a disciplined engineering process to avoid many of the pitfalls.

Lesson SS2: Product modification complicates system and software engineering for COTS-based systems.

It may be tempting to modify a product that comes close to fitting your needs but falls short. But taking this path usually causes too many other difficulties, such as complicating the behavior of an entity whose behavior is already largely unknown to you.

Lesson SS3: The use of prototypes is especially important for CBS development.

Prototyping is a commonly recommended practice in software development. For COTS-based systems it is essential because it is often the only way you can find out everything you need to know about the product's behaviors.