[Sigia-l] Meaning of "unified development methodologies"

[ruth at ruthkaufman.com]

Quoting Listera <listera at rcn.com>:

> ruth at ruthkaufman.com:
>
>> You can also use UML to create a model of a system from the user's
> perspective...
>
> The vast majority of users do not have a perspective on the system: they
> just want to get their business done efficiently. They don't care about
> notions of business objects, flows, facets, etc. As designers, we do. [1]
>

Users do perceive a system. They know they are interacting with a web 
site or an
application. This is why we call it a "conceptual model". I agree that they
don't usually care what goes on under the hood (i.e., the system 
architecture),
but they are fully aware of the boundaries of the system from their own
perspective. For example, they're certain they're *not* using IBM's web site
and associated capabilities when they're washing their dishes at home, 
or after
they've grabbed their printout to read on the train home. And they know they
*are* using the system when they click on a "manage my profile" link or "add
this to my shopping cart" button, or even when they read the legal 
disclaimers.
The concept of "system" is not limited to a technical implementation.

To further illustrate -- if I want to lift a box, I use my muscular-skeletal
system. If I fall ill, I use the healthcare system. If it's my mom's birthday,
I use the telecommunications system (to call her). If I get important mail, I
use my filing system (or don't use it and let the mail pile up). If I get a
bill, I use my online banking system (thanks, USAA!).

As a user of these systems (an Actor), I care about the flows, the 
nature of the
things (and people) I interact with, the policies and protocols that govern my
actions, and the technical / informational / physical capabilities and
constraints. I probably don't know or want to know anything more about the
software and servers that comprise the hypothetical IT system Ziya's referring
to than I do about the cellular makeup of my muscles, or if my phone is
connected by copper wires or fiber optic cables. But I certainly care about
what all these systems enable me to do, where they fall short, and the "user
objects" that make them real and tangible for me -- knees, doctors, phone
numbers, confirmation letters, electronic money transfers, etc. (...respective
to my examples in the 2nd paragraph.)

Regards,
Ruth