systems analysis and design

This book preceded the Software Engineering Institute's initiative to integrate the capability maturity models for software and system engineering and integrated product development into the CMMI by three years. However, the approach provided by the author is remarkably similar to and consistent with the CMMI, which makes this book an excellent resource to anyone interested in that model family.

Chapter 2, which covers system engineering process life cycles is one of the most complete treatments I've read. In fact, this chapter is not strictly confined to SE life cycle models. It also covers acquisition and product development life cycles, as well as those of R&D, test and evaluation and software development.

What I most like about this book is the well thought-out and coherent blending of systems engineering factors and integrated product development into a software engineering approach. Where the CMMI is more focused on key processes and practice areas, Mr. Sage provides implementation details and a large number of techniques. I also like the strong emphasis on quality and organizational structure, which are discussed in depth in chapters 6 and 7.

Much of the underlying technical detail is quantitative, particularly in chapters 3 through 5, which cover risk management, metrics and cost assessments.

The CMMI notwithstanding, the real value of this book is the wide view of integrated system and software engineering, and the low-level details it provides on every facet of both disciplines. This comprehensive book earns a solid 5 stars.