Computer-Aided Prototyping Systems (CAPS) within the software acquisition process: a case study
Mary K Ellis · Calhoun: The Naval Postgraduate School Institutional Archive (Naval Postgraduate School) · 1993
This thesis provides a case study which examines the benefits derived from the practice of computer-aided prototyping within the software acquisition process. An experimental prototyping systems currently in research is the Computer Aided Prototyping System (CAPS) managed under the Computer Science department of the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. This thesis determines the qualitative value which may be realized by applying the Computer-Aided Prototyping Systems (CAPS) to the initial stages of the acquisition process for a software system on the scale of a prototype model, then projecting the results to a real-time distributed computer system. As a prelude to this analysis, information is presented concerning how the acquisition process is currently managed within DoD and what role prototyping plays within that process. An introduction to the CAPS is then given, along with a description of its capabilities obtained through personal examination of the system. Following this walkthrough of the CAPS, software acquisition is discussed further, including an analysis of its major obstacles and where a CAPS could best be used within the acquisition cycle. This thesis concludes with a cost analysis and results from a comparison of performing a requirements analysis and feasibility study with and without a CAPS.