PREFACE

The idea for this book came from a realisation that the existing texts on systems development, excellent though they are, have not been updated for some years and that IT professionals (and others) might benefit from a more up-to-date treatment of the subject. An obvious example is the way in which Agile approaches have gained considerable traction in the last decade.

The book has three main objectives:

• to review the way systems are developed, including the underlying philosophies, methods and techniques at the present time;
• to provide a broad overview of systems development for anyone beginning a career in software development or working in a related field;
• to provide people already working in systems development with usable advice on how to go about it.

Writing the book has been a genuine team effort between a group of people who have worked together for many years and have, between them, considerable experience of developing systems, training people in systems development, creating certifications in systems development and conducting examinations in the subject. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of authors for their hard work on the book, their friends and families for giving them their support, and the publishing team at BCS for helping us through the endeavour.

James Cadle

Editor
April 2014