On the failure to implement structured programming and other techniques

Abstract

There is a large gap between the theory of management of software development projects and actual practice. Why have so few new software development techniques been implemented given the dismal rate of success in meeting the specifications for programming projects on time and within budget (Kay, 1969; Jones and McClean, 1970)? Before discussing some of the reasons for the failure to implement new approaches, several of these new techniques are delineated below. For a more complete description of each technique, see the references cited and the other papers in this session.