Desirable characteristics for CASE tools

Many organizations are trying to automate the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) has the potential to automate all phases of the SDLC and to tie the application development more closely to the strategic options of the business. Currently, there are a number of vendors selling a variety of CASE products, which can make it difficult for organizations to select the right CASE product. The problems in selecting a CASE tool include the current SDLC requirements, the unstable technological environment and the unavailability of a development framework or methodology. The study reported here was intended to develop a framework of CASE tool characteristics for selecting a CASE product. The framework provides the desirable characteristics for CASE tools. The desirable characteristics have been split into the current and future requirements according to the needs of the industry.