Software development is influenced by several factors. The IS professional would feel handicapped if he/ she does not develop awareness of the various influences from the very beginning of education in this field.
Software Engineering discipline is based on the foundations of Processes and Practices established at an organizational level in order to achieve benefits from Software Systems assuring their quality.
Broadly, processes are established practices by management and leadership in order to gain control over the progress and establish context of the Software development.
For example, Six Sigma/ CMMI could be viewed as approaches at organizational level to achieve goals of quality products for an organization. Object oriented development approaches are practiced by Software developers to achieve quality software.
Several approaches, tools and techniques are adopted as part of process and practice towards Software systems development.
References:
Software Engineering, A Practitioner's Approach by Roger S. Pressman, McGraw-Hill International Edition
Benefits Management: Delivering Value from IS & IT Investments by John Ward and Elizabeth Daniel
Information on CMMI: http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmmi/
Information on Six Sigma: http://www.isixsigma.com/library/content/six-sigma-newbie.asp
Information on Object oriented Analysis and Design:
http://www.ooad.org/
