What is the best software detailed design methodology?

By Roman Dubinskiy (rvdubinskiy@edu.hse.ru)

Software design methodologies are essential frameworks that guide developers in creating complex software systems. They provide a structured approach to addressing the challenges of software development, ensuring that the final product is robust, maintainable, and meets user requirements. The quest for the best software detailed design methodology is akin to searching for the most effective blueprint in constructing a building; it is about finding the right balance between flexibility, efficiency, and clarity.

In the realm of software engineering, several design methodologies have emerged, each with its own set of principles, practices, and tools. From the traditional waterfall model to the more iterative approaches like Agile, and from object-oriented design to component-based development, the landscape is diverse. This essay aims to explore the various software detailed design methodologies, compare their characteristics and applications, and provide insights into the best methodology based on different project requirements and contexts. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of these methodologies and guide software engineers in choosing the most suitable methodology for their projects.

Before we dive into topic, I should clarify how I understand what the “software detailed design” and “software detailed design methodology” is. According to the papers, I have found explanations below.

Software detailed design refers to the phase in the software development process where the system's architecture is further refined and detailed. It involves creating a detailed blueprint of how the software system will be built, including the specific algorithms, data structures, interfaces, and other technical details necessary for the implementation phase. This process often involves the use of design techniques like Unified Modeling Language (UML) to visually represent the system's components and their interactions[3]. Another words, detailed design describes how miscroservices, modules, classes, components are built inside.

Software detailed design methodology refers to the specific approach or strategy used to carry out the detailed design phase. This can vary depending on the overall software development methodology being used.

And again, detailed design in software engineering is the phase where the internal elements of all major system components are specified. The detailed design phase is typically the last phase of the design process, following the interface and architectural design phases[8]. The output of this process can directly be used for implementation in programming languages[2].

There are a lot of separate principles, techniques and approaches in order to detailed design components of software on different levels of depths, for example, UML (Unified Modeling Language), design patterns, pseudocode, simulink [9] or state diagrams. But these are separate techniques, that solve specific task. In this topic we have to dive into methodologies, that consist of or use such techniques under the hood. The next section will overview deeply some of widespread kinda methodologies for detailed design in software development process.

Software detailed design methodologies provide a structured approach to transform high-level design into a detailed plan for implementation. These methodologies help software engineers create a blueprint for the software, specifying the components, their interactions, and the algorithms used.

Structured Design Methodology: The structured design methodology is a top-down approach that decomposes the software into smaller, more manageable modules[4]. Each module is then designed and implemented independently, and the modules are integrated to form the complete software system.

Object-Oriented Design Methodology: The object-oriented design methodology is a bottom-up approach that focuses on identifying and defining the objects in the software system. The objects are then organized into classes, and the relationships between the classes are defined[5].

Component-Based Design Methodology: The component-based design methodology is a modular approach that uses pre-built software components to construct new software systems. The components are typically developed by third-party vendors and can be reused in multiple software systems[6].

The choice of software detailed design methodology depends on the specific requirements of the software project. Factors to consider include the size and complexity of the software, the skills and experience of the software engineers, and the time and budget constraints. But lets find out the experts opinion about some of them in the next section.

The debate over the best software detailed design methodology often centers around the structured design methodology versus the object-oriented design methodology, and the component-based design methodology. Each has its proponents and critics, and each offers distinct advantages and challenges.

Structured Design Methodology is a sequential approach that emphasizes a logical flow from one phase of development to the next, with a focus on functional decomposition[4]. It is well-suited for projects with well-defined requirements and where a clear hierarchy of tasks is beneficial. Some argue that the structured design methodology's emphasis on planning and documentation ensures a well-thought-out architecture and minimizes the risk of overlooking critical aspects of the system[4]. Others believe that the rigid nature of structured design can stifle creativity and is less adaptable to changes in requirements, making it less suitable for dynamic projects[4].

Object-Oriented Design Methodology focuses on modeling software as a collection of objects that encapsulate both data and behavior[7]. This methodology is adept at handling complex systems with many interacting components and is known for its reusability and scalability. Advocates for object-oriented design argue that it mirrors real-world interactions more naturally and allows for more flexible and maintainable code[7]. Critics may point out that object-oriented design can lead to over-engineering and may require more upfront work in modeling the system's objects and classes[7].

Component-Based Design Methodology involves assembling pre-existing software components into a new system[6]. This approach can significantly reduce development time and costs by leveraging existing, tested components. Proponents of component-based design highlight its efficiency and the high quality of software it can produce, as components are often well-tested and proven[6]. Detractors may argue that relying on pre-built components can limit design flexibility and may lead to integration challenges[6].

My view is that component-based design is particularly effective when there is a robust market of components that align with the project's needs. It can be an excellent choice for projects that need to be developed quickly and where the available components meet the necessary requirements.

In conclusion, the best software detailed design methodology depends on the project's context. Structured design offers clear planning and documentation, object-oriented design provides flexibility and reusability, and component-based design can offer efficiency and speed. The decision should be based on the project's unique requirements, the team's expertise, and the desired balance between flexibility, maintainability, and speed of development.

In conclusion, the search for the best software detailed design methodology is a complex endeavor. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the best software detailed design methodology. The choice depends on various factors, including the project requirements, team expertise, and the specific challenges at hand. A thorough understanding of the strengths and limitations of each methodology is essential for making an informed decision. Answering the question: “What is the best software detailed design methodology?” — based on real cases, literature and my opinion I may guess, that it is crucial to select a methodology that aligns with the specific requirements and constraints of the project at hand and there are no the best or the worst. There is only one for specific situation in suit to context, team and project constraints.

1. GeeksforGeeks. Software Engineering | Software Design Process. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-software-design-process/
2. TutorialsPoint. Software Design Basics. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/software_engineering/software_design_basics.htm
3. Engineering Product Design. What is a Detailed Design phase of Product design? https://engineeringproductdesign.com/knowledge-base/detailed-design/
4. ScienceDirect. Structured Design. Retrieved December 20, 2023, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/structured-design
5. Muhammad Usman Ghani Khan, Reverse Object Oriented Design Methodology (R-OODM), (2014), 21(2), 60-81. http://journals.pu.edu.pk/journals/index.php/jfet/article/viewFile/373/253
6. Philip M. Renkert, Component-Based Design Optimization of Multirotor Aircraft, (2022), https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9867163
7. Aslina Saad, Object Oriented VS Structured Analysis and Design in System Development Courses, (2019), 82-88. https://www.ijeat.org/portfolio-item/F10140986S319/
8. SEBoK. Detailed Design Definition. Retrieved December 20, 2023, from https://sebokwiki.org/wiki/Detailed_Design_Definition
9. Miroslaw Staron, Detailed Design of Automotive Software, (2017), 117-149. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-58610-6_5