Assumptions: True, False, ??? Paul Morris CIS144 Week 2

What do you know for sure?

Assumptions are necessary! They set limits to the problems They set limits to the problems Assumptions reflect desired values Assumptions reflect desired values Assumptions simplify the problem Assumptions simplify the problem

Assumptions are often self-imposed 1. Is the assumption necessary? If not, can or should it be dispensed with? 2. If the assumption is not necessary, is it appropriate? That is, many rather arbitrary assumptions and constraints are nevertheless desirable. For example, when we say, "We have only two weeks to solve this problem," those two weeks may be entirely appropriate as an outside time limit for generating and implementing the solution, simply because the problem's importance in relation to the rest of life warrants no more than those two weeks.

Examine the Assumptions behind the Problem Make a list of assumptions. Make a list of assumptions. Focus your assumption identification on the crux or sticking point of the problem. Focus your assumption identification on the crux or sticking point of the problem. Look over your written statements of the problem and your lists of constraints and write out a list of the assumptions behind each item. Look over your written statements of the problem and your lists of constraints and write out a list of the assumptions behind each item.

Entry Points Front end entry points. Front end entry points. Beginning at the end. Beginning at the end. Somewhere between the beginning and the end Somewhere between the beginning and the end