Methods, tools and standards (software engineering)

Standards provide a model that can be followed to give consistent results for some 'product'. It is not meant to stifle creativity but instead to provide a framework in which creativity can occur. In an environment that has implemented a number of standards for a defined product, methods (processes) and tools can be a benefit by automating much of the mundane tasking required to conform to the standard's rule set. In the area of software maintenance, the draft standard, IEEE P1219, belongs to the 'Standards in the Large' category, since it encompasses many smaller standards. As such it is a good example of the coupling of methods and tools to standards. The tools and methods section of the standard lists those tools that belong to the six steps of the maintenance process as defined in the standard. Defining the standard and its processes helps identify areas in which tools can be used advantageously as well as areas that could benefit from the development of new tools. Examples of new tool opportunities and the development of these tools is described.<>