Software Design Threats and Mitigations

The design step in developing software has some unique characteristics. First of all, it’s the only step where drawing pictures of things is the norm. Why is that? What do pictures do that other representations cannot do? Pictures have varying levels of detail; pictures have context. Pictures…paint a picture. Why are these things important? In this course, too, we begin looking at other disciplines (building architecture is a favorite one) for lessons on design.

• Understand the importance of visual representations in design
• Analyze threats in software design
• Draw lessons from other engineering disciplines to improve design
• Identify detail levels and context in design diagrams

• Basic familiarity with the topic and its common terminology
• Readiness to practice through applied exercises or case-based work