Methodologies

According to James Martin, a Methodology is “a collection of related processes, methods, and tools.” He further defines a Process as “a logical sequence of tasks performed to achieve a particular objective.” He clarifies that a process describes what is to be done, but not how it is to be done. A Method, however, describes “techniques for performing a task.” In other words, it does describe the how. Finally, a Tool is “an instrument, that when applied to a particular method, can enhance the efficiency of the task.

Sanford Friedenthal offers a related definition for Method, describing it as “a set of related activities, techniques, and conventions that implement one or more processes and is generally supported by a set of tools,” corroborating Martin’s definition.

References:

Friedenthal, Sanford, Moore, Alan, and Steiner, Rick. (2008) A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language. Morgan Kaufmann: Burlington, MA.

Martin, James. (1996) Systems Engineering Guidebook: A Process for Developing Systems and Products. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL.