An empirical study of the validation process within requirements determination
Authors: Flynn, D. J.; Warhurst, R.
Journal: Information Systems Journal (1994)
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2575.1994.tb00051.x
<jats:p><jats:bold>Abstract. </jats:bold> An empirical investigation into the validation process within requirements determination is described in which systems analysts were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning important validation issues. We describe the major validation activities, a set of major problems experienced by the respondents, factors affecting the process and hypotheses for problem explanations. The levels of experience of the respondents and the organizations for which they work appear to be significant.</jats:p><jats:p>Analysts employ a very traditional approach, expressing the specification mainly in English, and they experience problems in using over‐formal notations in informal situations with users, as well as problems in deriving full benefit from notations when building the specification and detecting its properties. Not all of the specification is validated and tool use is not widespread and does not appear to be effective.</jats:p><jats:p>We define the concepts of formal and informal view, and suggest that method and tool use will not necessarily increase in organizations as it is apparent that research into the more effective application of formal…