James Martin (author)

James Martin
Born	1933-10-19 Ashby-de-la-Zouch, England
Died	2013-06-24 Agar's Island, Bermuda
Occupation(s)	Consultant, author
Known for	Information technology engineering, Rapid Application Development (RAD)

James Martin (19 October 1933 – 24 June 2013) was a prominent English consultant and author in the field of information technology, noted for his influential work in information technology engineering.

Biography

Martin was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, England, and pursued physics studies at Keble College, Oxford. He began his career at IBM in 1959 before founding multiple IT consulting companies. In 1981, together with Dixon Doll and Tony Carter, he launched DMW (Doll Martin Worldwide) in London, which was later renamed James Martin Associates (JMA). In 1991, JMA was partially acquired by Texas Instruments Software. Additionally, he co-established Database Design Inc. (DDI) in Michigan to advance his database design principles and create supporting software tools. DDI, which evolved into KnowledgeWare, became a leader in IT engineering software before being acquired by Fran Tarkenton and subsequently going public.

Martin was honored with an honorary fellowship from Keble College, Oxford and received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Warwick. In 2008, he presented the esteemed Turing Lecture. Computerworld ranked him as the fourth most influential person in computer science history.

Personal life

From the 1990s onward, Martin lived on his private Agar's Island in Bermuda, where he passed away in 2013, reportedly due to a swimming accident.

Work

Martin’s expertise encompassed systems design, software development methodology, information technology engineering, and computer-aided software engineering. He was an early proponent of fourth-generation programming languages and played a key role in developing the Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology.

Information Technology Engineering

Information technology engineering (ITE) is a systems design methodology that emerged between 1976 and 1980 and was first articulated by Martin and Clive Finkelstein in 1981. It introduced innovative data analysis and database design strategies aimed at enabling DBAs and systems analysts to construct systems that align closely with organizational processes. The method evolved into business-driven IE during the mid-1980s, with significant modernization led by Technical Director Charles M. Richter, who enhanced both the IE methodology and its software tools to support advanced Information Architecture.

Computer-aided software engineering

Martin’s ITE framework focused on automating software development through business descriptions that generated data dictionaries for code creation. This concept laid the groundwork for the CASE tool industry. He held investments in four CASE companies: InTech (Excelerator), Higher Order Software, KnowledgeWare (initially Database Design Inc), and James Martin Associates (originally DMW), all instrumental in developing Texas Instruments' CA Gen tool.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Martin’s approach had integrated RAD, business process reengineering (BPR), and object-oriented methodologies.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

In 1991, Martin introduced the Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology, emphasizing iterative cycles and prototyping to hasten software delivery. The concept has since evolved to encompass various strategies, including the utilization of web application frameworks, which prioritize quicker deployment and simplified upkeep, sometimes at the expense of certain features or optimal performance.

The Oxford Martin School

Martin contributed £60 million in 2004 to create The James Martin 21st Century School at the University of Oxford, marking the largest individual donation in the university’s history. This institution, later renamed The Oxford Martin School, is dedicated to pioneering innovative ideas, policies, and technologies aimed at addressing future global issues. In 2009, Martin committed an additional $50 million, conditional on matching contributions, a target that was met by April 2010.

Publications

Throughout his career, Martin authored over one hundred books, many achieving best-seller status within the IT sector. Notable titles include:

• 1965. Programming real-time computer systems
• 1976. Principles of Data-Base Management
• 1977. Wired society
• 1981. Information engineering
• 1985. Fourth-generation languages
• 1988. Structured techniques: the basis for CASE
• 1992. Object-oriented analysis and design
• 1995. The Great Transition: Using the Seven Disciplines of Enterprise Engineering to Align People, Technology and Strategy
• 1996. Cybercorp: The New Business Revolution
• 2006. The Meaning of the 21st Century

See also

• Create, read, update and delete

External links

• Michael Douglas narrates documentary on Martin’s vision for 21st century challenges
• Webcast presenting Martin’s outlook for the 21st century