Practical strategies for developing large software systems
Ellis Horowitz · 1975
In 1974, the major leverage point in the software process is at the software design and structuring stage. This stage begins with a statement of software requirements. Properly done, the software design and structuring process can identify the weak spots and mismatches in the requirements statement which are the main sources of unresponsiveness of delivered software. Once these weak spots slip by the design phase, they will generally stay until during or after delivery, where only costly retrofits can make the software responsive to operational needs.