DMS Evaluation Methodology.

The report was initiated to investigate the feasibility of automating the data management system DMS selection process. The selection of a DMS for a particular set of user requirements is often hindered by the lack of a systematic approach to the specification of design constraints. This report details an approach to gathering user requirement in a coherent fashion through the completion of prearranged forms by the user or analyst. Concurrently, the characterization of a set of candidate DMS is made by indicating on a DMS attribute tree whether particular features exist. Finally, the selection of a DMS is made through the use of mapping tables which correlate particular user requirements as indicated on requirements forms to particular DMS attributes as indicated on the attribute tree. If no match is found, a group of usage equations may be invoked to provide a mathematical estimation of the relative need and importance of the particular quantity. Author