Software Re-engineering

Software re-engineering is the examination, analysis and alteration of an existing software system to reconstitute it in a new form, and the subsequent implementation of the new form. 

The process typically encompasses a combination of other processes such as reverse engineering, redocumentation, restructuring, translation, and forward engineering. 

The goal is to understand the existing software (specification, design, implementation) and then to re-implement it to improve the system's functionality, performance or implementation. The objective is to maintain the existing functionality and prepare for functionality to be added later.