Prepared by Stephen M. Thebaut, Ph.D. University of Florida G&W Chapter 6: Context-Free Questions Software Specification Lecture 13 Prepared by Stephen M. Thebaut, Ph.D. University of Florida

What ARE “context-free questions”? High-level questions that can be posed early in any project to obtain info about global properties of the design problem and potential solutions. Software Specification: G&W Chapter 6

Types of Context-Free Questions Process Questions, e.g., Who is the customer / client? How much time do we have for this project? Product Questions, e.g., What problems does this product solve? What environment is this product likely to encounter? Software Specification: G&W Chapter 6

Types of Context-Free Questions (cont’d) Metaquestions, e.g., Are you the right person to answer these questions? Is there anything else I should be asking you? Software Specification: G&W Chapter 6

A Couple of Questions for You G&W suggest that, whenever possible, two or more people conduct the context-free questioning. Why? Context-free questions often reveal conflicting assumptions among stakeholders. G&W note that an easy way to compare replies is to interview two or more people at the same time. There is a danger, however. What is it? Software Specification: G&W Chapter 6

Ensuring Process Buy-In Some people have trouble understanding why such general questions are useful. If necessary, go very slowly. Ask one question, explore the answers thoroughly, and then explain how the information you obtained was useful to you. Software Specification: G&W Chapter 6

Prepared by Stephen M. Thebaut, Ph.D. University of Florida G&W Chapter 6: Context-Free Questions Software Specification Lecture 13 Prepared by Stephen M. Thebaut, Ph.D. University of Florida