A Smarter Way: The Software Engineering Method and Theory Initiative (Semat)

Abstract

Semat and its large supporter base believes that software engineering is gravely hampered by immature practices. Specific problems include: The prevalence of fads more typical of the fashion industry than an engineering discipline, lack of a sound, widely accepted theoretical basis, a huge number of methods and method variants, with differences little understood and artificially magnified. SEMAT supports a process to refound software engineering based on a solid theory, proven principles and best practices that include; a kernel of widely-agreed elements, extensible for specific uses, addressing both technology and people issues. We focus on changing the way we deal with methods and processes, which will impact our industry, its education, its research and its developer community. Join this presentation on SEMAT by Ivar Jacobson to identify how we can change how we work today, as well as influence larger changes required to operate more successfully tomorrow.