Software Engineering. Volume I. Its Development and Standards.

This report presents the findings of a study to evaluate the maturity of the software development process and its accompanying standards, project future development in the field, and to identify areas needing standards and the means for achieving the required standardization. The report examines development as a generic process to provide a perspective for describing the evolution and present state of software engineering. The purpose and contributions of standards in development are defined and described. Analysis of software engineerings evolution to date indicates that it is still in the active, experimental stages of its evolution, in which it is forming the elements of principle and practice on which its mature character will be built. An analysis of the phases of the development cycle in terms of their required inputs and the availability and applicability of standards for these inputs indicated that most procedures and inputs to software engineering are not now standardized. Thirteen specific areas requiring standards were identified. This study attempts to present a systematic approach to software standards and to raise national awareness of the need for and benefits to be derived from improved software standards.