IMPROVING REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS Rigourous Problem Analysis and Formulation with Coloured Cognitive Maps

摘要

This position paper argues that methodical and rigourous attention to problem formulation should be an essential part of requirements analysis and proposes a method for modelling problems and potential solutions. Currently, most IS Development Methodologies ignore the issue of problem formulation. Furthermore, in practice, most IS development projects ignore or pay little attention to this issue. In this paper we argue that the resulting lack of proper problem analysis and formulation is a major cause of IS failures. In place of this lack of attention, this paper proposes and reports on research in progress on the development and evaluation of a new technique, Coloured Cognitive Maps (CCM), for use in problem formulation at the early stages of Information Systems Development. The notation of coloured cognitive maps and a procedure to use them for problem analysis and solution derivation are briefly described. Initial anecdotal results in employing CCM by students and practitioners are briefly described.