The importance of process

This chapter describes the importance of process in unified modeling language (UML). The means to tackle problems are what are formally referred to as processes, methods and/or methodologies. They describe the structure of the approach undertaken to solve a problem. A process, method, or methodology is a way of formalizing common sense and best practice. Structured systems analysis and design methodology (SSADM), rational unified process (RUP), waterfall, soft systems methodology (SSM), object oriented process, environment, and notation (OPEN), catalysis, rapid application development (RAD), and extreme programming (XP) are some major example of processes and methodologies that are briefly discussed in the chapter. The key benefits of the processes and methodologies are summarized in the “benefits of using an established approach” information box in the chapter. Some of the main influencing factors in choosing a particular process or methodology include company doctrine, customer influence, standard development, and personal bias. An organization may have a policy that determines a commitment to use a particular methodology. The policy may be a standard one in the public domain, or may often be a company's own variation.