Method and system for providing a visual context for software development processes

• US 7,949,993 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Milligan, Andrew P.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAS, CHAMELI
• Application Number:
  US11/564,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20080127051A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,638 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 717/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/10 Requirements analysis; Specification techniques

Abstract

A unified architectural diagram that contains links to different kinds of information (a new map) extends the functionality of current standardized development architectural diagrams by linking information to each component of the solution. The new map offers software development processes without architectural diagrams a new centralized, visual representation of every component and process that comprise a large software solution as well as how those components and processes are connected to each other within the solution, offering an opportunity for understanding at an individual level that otherwise would be impractical.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing a visual context for a software development process, the method comprising:

providing a unified architectural diagram, wherein the diagram links at least two kinds of information including standardized development architectural information and non-standardized development architectural information, the diagram including a storage and a stencil area representing components and links to different kinds of information, and for generating a unified view of each represented component, wherein the represented components and links are dragged and dropped into the storage area, wherein functionality of the diagram is enhanced by linking information to each of the represented components wherein there is a hierarchy of the software development process and links assigned to relevant information, and wherein a content of the software development process is published as a standard, wherein the diagram comprises a source map for delivering information to a wide audience and a series of focused maps, wherein a delivery method for each of the focused maps comprises a pointer to a specific Uniform Resource Locator (URL) path and a maintenance mechanism for maintaining the source map, and a mechanism for securing access to the source map and to the information linked in each focused map.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the link is a pointer to a computer file path.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the standard comprises a web-based standard.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the diagram also allows for access to the source map and to information linked in each focused map.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the audience comprise any of and any combination of application developers, quality assurance (QA) engineers, information developers, curriculum developers, pro-services, sales/technical sales representation, marketing, existing customers, new customers and software management.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the unified architectural diagram comprises a published diagram with linked information.

7. A computer system for providing a visual context for a software development process, the system comprising:

a database application;

a processor; and

a unified architectural diagram wherein the diagram;

links at least two kinds of information including standardized development architectural information and non-standardized development architectural information, the diagram including a storage and stencil area representing components and links to different kinds of information; and

generates a unified view of each represented component, wherein the represented components and links are dragged and dropped into the storage area, wherein the functionality of the architectural diagram is enhanced by linking information to each of the represented components wherein there is a hierarchy of the software development process and links assigned to relevant information; and

publishes a content of the software development process as standard, wherein the diagram comprises a source map for delivering information to a wide audience and a series of focused maps, wherein a delivery mechanism for each of the focused maps comprises a pointer to a specific Uniform Resource Locator (URL) path and a maintenance mechanism for maintaining the source map, and a mechanism for securing access to the source map and to the information linked in each focused map.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the link is a pointer to a computer file path.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the standard comprises a web-based standard.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein the diagram also allows for access to the source map and to information linked in each focused map.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein the audience comprises any of and any combination of application developers, quality assurance (QA) engineers, information developers, curriculum developers, pro-services, sales/technical sales representation, marketing, existing customers, new customers and software management.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein the unified architectural diagram comprises a published diagram with linked information.

13. A computer program product including a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program comprising:

computer program code for providing a unified architectural diagram, wherein the diagram links at least two kinds of information including standardized development architectural information and non-standardized development architectural information, the diagram including storage and a stencil area representing components and links do different kinds of information;

computer program code for generating a unified view of each represented component, wherein the represented components and links can be dragged and dropped into the storage area, wherein the functionality of the architectural diagram is enhanced by linking information to each of the represented components wherein there is a hierarchy of the software development process and links assigned to relevant information; and

computer program code for publishing a content of the software development process as a standard, wherein the diagram comprises a source map for delivering information to a wide audience and a series of focused maps, wherein a delivery mechanism for each of the focused maps comprises a pointer to a specific Uniform Resource Locator (URL) path and a maintenance mechanism for maintaining the source map, and a mechanism for securing access to the source map and to the information linked in each focused map.

14. The computer program product of claim 13 wherein the standard comprises a web-based standard.

15. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the diagram also allows for access to the source map and to information linked in each focused map.

16. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the audience comprises any of and any combination of application developers, quality assurance (QA) engineers, information developers, curriculum developers, pro-services, sales/technical sales representation, marketing, existing customers, new customers and software management.