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Assumptions Management in Software Development

Technical Note
This technical note explores assumptions management as a method for improving software quality.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-2004-TN-021
DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
10.1184/R1/6572057.v1

Abstract

Software developers constantly make assumptions about the interpretation of requirements, design decisions, operational domain, environment, characteristics of input data, and other factors during system implementation. These assumptions are seldom documented and less frequently validated by the people who have the knowledge to verify their appropriateness. Additionally, the business, legal, and operating environments are always changing, as well as the software itself, rendering previously valid assumptions invalid. This technical note explores assumptions management as a method for improving software quality. This exploration covers assumptions management concepts, results of work on a prototype Assumptions Management System, conclusions, lessons learned, and potential work in this area.

Cite This Technical Note

Lewis, G., Mahatham, T., & Wrage, L. (2004, August 1). Assumptions Management in Software Development. (Technical Note CMU/SEI-2004-TN-021). Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6572057.v1.

@techreport{lewis_2004,
author={Lewis, Grace and Mahatham, Teeraphong and Wrage, Lutz},
title={Assumptions Management in Software Development},
month={Aug},
year={2004},
number={CMU/SEI-2004-TN-021},
howpublished={Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library},
url={https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6572057.v1},
note={Accessed: 2024-Mar-29}
}

Lewis, Grace, Teeraphong Mahatham, and Lutz Wrage. "Assumptions Management in Software Development." (CMU/SEI-2004-TN-021). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, August 1, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6572057.v1.

G. Lewis, T. Mahatham, and L. Wrage, "Assumptions Management in Software Development," Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, Technical Note CMU/SEI-2004-TN-021, 1-Aug-2004 [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6572057.v1. [Accessed: 29-Mar-2024].

Lewis, Grace, Teeraphong Mahatham, and Lutz Wrage. "Assumptions Management in Software Development." (Technical Note CMU/SEI-2004-TN-021). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Aug. 2004. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6572057.v1. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Lewis, Grace; Mahatham, Teeraphong; & Wrage, Lutz. Assumptions Management in Software Development. CMU/SEI-2004-TN-021. Software Engineering Institute. 2004. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6572057.v1