Faganstyle

Faganstyle is a software development methodology named after Michael Fagan, who developed it in the 1970s. It is a systematic approach to software testing and quality assurance, emphasizing structured and rigorous processes to identify and eliminate defects early in the development lifecycle. The methodology is particularly well-suited for critical systems where reliability and safety are paramount.

The Faganstyle process involves several key steps:

1. Planning: Define the scope, objectives, and resources required for the testing effort.

2. Overview: Provide a high-level description of the system to be tested.

3. Preparation: Develop test cases, test procedures, and any necessary test data.

4. Execution: Perform the actual testing, recording results and identifying defects.

5. Rework: Fix identified defects and verify the fixes.

6. Retest: Re-execute tests to ensure that defects have been resolved.

7. Follow-up: Document lessons learned and update the test plan as needed.

One of the distinguishing features of Faganstyle is its emphasis on formal reviews and inspections. These reviews are conducted at various stages of the development process to identify and correct defects before they can propagate. The methodology also includes a formal process for tracking and managing defects, ensuring that they are systematically addressed and resolved.

Faganstyle has been widely adopted in various industries, including aerospace, defense, and finance, where the cost of failure can be extremely high. Its structured approach helps organizations improve the quality of their software products and reduce the overall cost of development and maintenance.