A Comparison between Full-Function and Limited Function Case Tools in Systems Analysis and Design

CASE has become an essential tool in system analysis and design. If MIS and AIS curricula are to be relevant, CASE must be integrated into systems analysis and design courses. This study compares the use of the full-function Excelerator to the use of the limited-function BriefCASE, the two most widely used CASE tools in universities. The results indicate that different outcomes are associated with the use of full-function versus limited-function CASE tools. Students using Excelerator did a better job with their course projects: Excelerator provided them with more complete, consistent, and error-free specifications. However, Excelerator students did not perform as well on their examinations. Using Excelerator with its automatic conversions and validation checking, students do not develop expertise in structured specification. In contrast, students using BriefCASE performed better on their examinations. The lack of automatic conversions and validation checking in BriefCASE forced them to develop expertise in structured specifications. At the same time BriefCASE students did not do as well in their course projects. Because of the complex nature of the project, it is difficult to deliver an error-free specification document with the limited-function BriefCASE