REQUIREMENTS OF AN OBJECT-ORIENTED DESIGN METHOD

This paper attempts to identify those necessary characteristics that an object-oriented design method ought to exhibit in order to merit that appellation. By examining the key concepts associated with the object-oriented approach, important design issues are identified; these are related to current work in the area of design methodology. A list of criteria for the evaluation of the suitability of any proposed object-oriented design method is constructed, and several current and proposed methods (both conventional and object-oriented) are evaluated in respect of that list. The pessimistic conclusion is reached that, at present, there are some significant gaps in the facilities/support provided to the potential object-oriented designer, particularly in the evaluation and management of the design process; by contrast, there are substantial advances being made in technical design methods.