Software Engineering

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CHAPTER 13 
Software Design Synthesis Practice
Software design synthesis, as discussed within this chapter, addresses the tasks 
necessary to establish the software product structural configuration and physi-
cal architecture. This software engineering version of design synthesis has been 
adapted from the systems engineering discipline to address the unique character-
istics of software products. The systems engineering version of design synthesis 
should be applied to the design of the computing environment and software post-
development processes. However, both versions of design synthesis are very con-
sistent and either can be used for nonsoftware product or process design efforts. 
Figure 13.1
 identifies the software design synthesis tasks as they apply to the defini-
tion of the software product configuration, and its structural units, components, and 
engineering assemblies. This presentation of the software design synthesis tasks is 
not intended to suggest a prescribed sequence by which these tasks are performed. 
They are organized into logical groupings for the purpose of discussing the major 
design activities within which these tasks correspond. The major software design 
synthesis activities include the following:
1. 
Design conceptualization
—the establishment of initial structural design con-
cepts derived from the ongoing functional analysis. Structural design concepts 
originate from brainstorming and inspirational collaborations that suggest struc-
tural design patterns that range from typical to progressive, radical, innovative, 
pioneering, and revolutionary. This involves the identification of abstract struc-
tural components and user interface mechanisms, and their arrangement and 
interactions that form the upper tier of the structural configuration.
2. 
Design resolution
—the continual evaluation and refinement of the physical 
architecture focused on elaborating the structural configuration. Design reso-
lution facilitates the balancing of software design features, functionality, and 
performance characteristics as the design solution emerges via extrapolation 
(drawing conclusions or inferences). This includes the identification of struc-
tural units and components that represent the building blocks or material from 
which the lower tier of the structural configuration will be crafted.
3. 
Design assessment
—the evaluation of the evolving structural design solution 
to determine its suitability and completeness. These design assessments are 
intended to identify any challenges associated with the design solution’s abil-
ity to be implemented and its resilience to endure enhancements and extensions 
sustained throughout its anticipated life cycle. Performance engineering assess-
ments should provide a calculated appraisal of the design solution’s conform-
ance with performance benchmarks.
4. 
Design correlation
—results in the identification of integrated structural compo-
nents that bridge the design chasm and form the integration tier of the structural 
configuration.
5. 
Design manifestation
—concludes the search for a design solution and endorses 
the structural configuration. Identifies structural assemblages that represent 
structural components and additional software test stubs to support integra-
tion testing. Finalizes the engineering drawings, diagrams, and documentation 

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