Recipe for Success in Software Engineering

 

Logic and sermons never convince …

Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

Reference – as quoted by Roman Kossak in “Mathematical Logic (On Numbers, Sets, Structures, and Symmetry)”, Springer Graduate Texts in Philosophy.

Now,

What sense does this quotation imply in the context of Software Engineering?

Ut infra:

Logic is the foundation for the Scientific Method. We use methods in software engineering, both structured and formal, such as entity / relationship diagrams, business process models, und so Weiter, to specify requirements for software development. Such methods constitute the use of the scientific method, which, as mentioned in the beginning of this paragraph, is built upon the foundation of Logic.

So far, so good.

Now, referring to Walt Whitman’s point in that poem as quoted above, the use of Logic as the foundation is valid. But it should NOT be used to convince.

In software engineering contexts, convincing means getting signoffs from stakeholders on requirements.

The foundation should indeed utilize the scientific method. BUT, getting agreement for its use, gaining adoption, these should hinge upon a complementary entity, namely, art.

Strengthening stakeholder relationships, also known as business partner engagement, is an art that complements whatever logical and scientific methodologies are applied for the specification of requirement for design and build purposes.

Obtaining signoffs is an art.

These complementary entities of science and art should always function together, like the double helix strands of the DNA polymer.

This is the recipe for success in software engineering.