A life cycle approach to method management

This paper describes a life cycle model for method management, using existi ng published models for software life cycles as a basis. A direct analogy i s drawn between the processes in method life cycles and those established f or software development, and the constituent parts of the processes that oc cur in the method life cycle are explored in some detail. It is concluded t hat a life cycle model can usefully be applied to method management and the main principles are summarised. An example is included to illustrate how l ife cycle principles can be applied to a real situation.