Using a generic approach to support the construction of methods

Abstract

The new emerging field of Method Engineering acknowledges the need for rapid construction of methods. In this paper, we propose to define a method as a set of method chunks which contains guidelines for supporting the development process. There are two types of guidelines. One type supports decisions leading to a t~ansformation of schema elements, whereas the second one helps in controlling the flow of decisions. In order to improve efficiency in the construction of methods, we propose to derive the method chunks from a set of generic patterns, obtained by abstracting out the commonalties from a set of current methods. This paper presents the approach we propose to build a method. It focuses on the generic knowledge first and then presents art example of method construction based on the approach. Finally we exemplify the use of a method to model an elevator control system.