Method engineering: theory and practice

Abstract

Method engineering promotes the idea of constructing methodologies for information systems development by selecting and assembling method fragments from a repository. This repository needs first to be populated with selfcontained fragments derived from industry best practice and compliant with a given metamodel. A situational method is then constructed (by a method engineer) to exactly match the requirements of the individual organization and/or project. This paper briefly outlines both the theory of situational method engineering and its application in terms of industry case studies carried out over the last 5 years in Sydney, Australia in helping organizations to create agile and flexible methodologies, capable of maturing and improving over the years.