% Fall 2014 Reading % Michael Stone % November 2, 2014 * [Intent Specifications](http://sunnyday.mit.edu/papers/intent-tse.pdf) and [again](http://sunnyday.mit.edu/16.355/levesonintent.pdf). Useful ideas: *part-whole*, *information-hiding*, and *means-end* abstraction/refinement hierarchies, notation. * [Leading Indicators](http://sunnyday.mit.edu/papers/leading-indicators-final.pdf) and [Assumption-Based Planning](http://www.amazon.com/Assumption-Based-Planning-Reducing-Avoidable-Surprises/dp/0521001269). Useful language: *load-bearing, vulnerabile assumptions*, *buttressing an assumption*, *signposts*, *hedging actions*, and *shaping actions*. * [Software Requirements & Specifications](http://www.amazon.com/Software-Requirements-Specifications-Principles-Prejudices/dp/0201877120) & [Problem Frames](http://www.amazon.com/Problem-Frames-Analysing-Structuring-Development/dp/020159627X). These works extend [Polya's agenda](http://www.amazon.com/How-Solve-It-Mathematical-Princeton/dp/069111966X) to the domains of software & control systems. Useful language: *designations vs. definitions*, *machine-environment-problem*, enzymes. * [Systems Performance](http://www.amazon.com/Systems-Performance-Enterprise-Brendan-Gregg/dp/0133390098). Lots of good ideas on how to make things go fast. * [Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395615569). Recommended by [Max Shron](http://shron.net) in his book: [Thinking with Data](http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920029182.do). * [The Complete Book of Scriptwriting](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898795125). Recommended by colleagues in response to a question on how to learn to tell stories. Useful ideas: "character + desire = goal; goal + conflict = story".