The authors discuss extending the benefits of abstraction (which led to object-oriented programming) to the whole program development process, starting with the modeling of business systems. The basis of this approach is cognitive models, using the human faculties of thinking and reasoning, and their application to organizational and system processes. Knowledge acquisition and design structure (KADS) Object is presented as the cognitive pattern model. It was developed by a public-domain research project conducted in Europe from 1985 to 1994.

The authors examine the mapping from the KADS Object model components to object-oriented design elements such as object types, collaborations, and behaviors. They discuss life cycle activities, including testing, technical architecture, and reuse. (Reuse is important for quality and economy, and I hope there will be no legal restrictions on reuse in the future.) There is some relationship between KADS and expert systems.

A very useful “Library of Problem-Solving Templates” is included. I recommend the book to software engineers who are using object-oriented techniques for the whole development process.