Systems development in an ICASE environment: A user perspective

Integrated CASE (ICASE) tools and methods are the most important manifestations of second-generation CASE technology. The main problems in ICASE research involve strategies for toolset integration, with particular emphasis on repository and interface components. This study includes definitions and descriptions of CASE and ICASE environments. A framework for ICASE assessment is proposed. Results from an experimental case study are analyzed, based on the evaluation framework, to provide evidence of ICASE's advantages and disadvantages from a user perspective. Case-study tests reveal several problems relating to data, design, and interface integration. Benefits include built-in methodology support, automated consistency-checking mechanisms, and powerful data-modeling and manipulation features. The overall effects of the ICASE environment on quality and productivity cannot be accurately quantified, but results indicate areas where the technology works well and where it needs to be improved.