The Most Important Changes over SEM V 3.0
There is no longer a general EVHB (and the abbreviated version EHB), but rather different derived methods which are represented in a uniform form (since all are based on SEM-VM). Unlike earlier traditional "manuals", these derived methods are available in electronic form.
There are fewer phases than previously (phases grouped together into larger units).
The start and end of the project are more clearly defined than earlier. The Initiation and Termination phases form the frame phases which cover the two important documents - the 'project decision' and 'final report'.
There are various models for the life cycle approach - not just the waterfall model recommended so far (spiral model, evolutionary development model, incremental delivery model, prototyping).
A number of themes have been given greater emphasis in stdSEM than was previously the case (or have even been newly included). This applies in particular to
  • Risk analysis
  • Drawing up a tender (separate subphase in the Definition phase)
  • Domain modeling
  • Prototyping (also in the form of a life cycle approach)
  • Configuration management (with a separate CM plan)
  • Usability
  • Reuse (with separate RR plan)
  • Use and adaptation of existing software (separate subphases for Design and Implementation)
  • Preparation of operations (introduction planning, process integration, etc.)
  • Operations phase
  • Recording and evaluation of process experiences.
The degree of obligation for results has been defined (must - should - may).
There is also now a milestone concept with prespecified milestones (based on the majority of clients' process models).
The word templates have been completely redesigned for stdSEM. They no longer consist of pure tables of contents, but rather of comprehensive, annotated tables of contents and examples.
The phase acceptance meetings and reports which were previously unpopular are no longer mandatory in stdSEM.
Hardware development now has its own derived method eeSEM®. This means that the general derived method stdSEM® is now more streamlined than the earlier SEM V 3.0.
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