Software Development Models A Software Development Model is a framework that is used to structure, plan, and control the process of developing an information system. These are various processes or methodologies that are being selected for the development of the project depending on the project’s aims and goals. There are many development life cycle models that have been developed in order to achieve different required objectives. This report aims to compare the following software development models: Waterfall, Prototyping, Rapid Application Development (RAD), and Agile.
Comparison of Definition
Waterfall
The waterfall model is the classical model of software engineering. This model is one of the oldest models and is widely used in government
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Moreover, Prototyping is a model in which a prototype is built, tested, and then reworked as necessary until an acceptable prototype is finally achieved from which the complete system or product can now be developed. This model works best in scenarios where not all of the project requirements are known in detail ahead of time. It is an iterative, trial-and-error process that takes place between the developers and the users. Also, it will reduce the iterations may occur in waterfall approach and hard to be implemented due to inflexibility of the waterfall approach. Software prototyping is becoming very popular as a software development model, as it enables to understand customer requirements at an early stage of development. It helps get valuable feedback from the customer and helps software designers and developers understand about what exactly is expected from the product under development. In addition, while most prototypes are developed with the expectation that they will be discarded, it is possible in some cases to evolve from prototype to working …show more content…
RAD usually embraces object-oriented programming methodology, which inherently fosters software re-use. The most popular object-oriented programming languages, C++ and Java, are offered in visual programming packages often described as providing rapid application development. In addition, RAD is a concept that products can be developed faster and of higher quality through: Gathering requirements using workshops or focus groups; Prototyping and early, reiterative user testing of designs; The re-use of software components; A rigidly paced schedule that defers design improvements to the next product version; And less formality in reviews and other team communication. RAD generally includes joint application design (JAD), where users are intensely involved in system design, via consensus building in either structured workshops, or electronically facilitated
The Software Development Life Cycle is seldom used at my place of work. Unfortunately, recent developments in its use are deemed confidential. Due to this fact, this paper will examine in general terms one of the projects we are undertaking right now while at the same time attempting to maintain our confidentiality.
Answer: It is because the waterfall model is a document-driven model with documents produced at the end of each phase. Because of the cost of producing and approving documents,
According to E. Sachs two needs, which are key to industrial productivity and competitiveness, are the reduction in time to market for new products and the flexible manufacture of products in small quantities [1]. A factor that contributes to the product design process is the development of prototypes, defined as a base model that can be tested and exhibits characteristics that can only be seen only when there is a physical product. This stage also allows clients to test ideas and provide feedback, which can enhance the final product.
Size This vital information can be used in the later stages of prototyping as well as in prototyping processes of new products. 2. Prototype Development Stage: The Prototype development is most focused on how well the communication and integration process is executed among the Asian Product Development team, Vendors and Vendors This directly affects the lead-time and cost parameters.
Extreme Programming (XP) has spent the past decades under perpetual scrutiny by software developers fixated on up front design methodologies. The idea behind this is simple: if you want to make sure something is well built, you must design it well first, then put it together using reliable tools. For objects such as houses, cars, or tables, of which the design evolves gradually throughout decades, the methods of up front design suffice. Computer programs, on the other hand, are products often made for an industry that evolves at higher rates than any other. For this type of environment, more dynamic methods are required, which is why XP suits as a viable candidate. How design is altered from the traditional up front design method will be discussed.
Rapid prototyping is the realization of an idea into a physical object in order to provide a representative of a finished product using rapid prototyping technologies to allow for appraisal and design modifications. The First rapid prototyping machine was first made available to markets in late 1987 meaning it is a relatively recent development. Rapid prototyping began as an expensive tool for manufacturing a physical model for design engineers to use to visualize their component designs. However in recent years the technology has advance so much that it is becoming cheaper to produce a component. (1)
Another marketing concept that is related to this topic is product development. Product development is the process of creating a new product in the market that is technically feasible to produce at low costs, in order to make the final price reasonable. The development of a new product is converted through prototypes. Once a prototype is developed, its functioning must be tested. Performance tests are important for determining if the prototype meets the objectives of the company as well as the safety standards.
The article explains about the affect of prototyping practices on design results. Using Iterative practices in making designs can lead to better results. Instead of working on making a perfect design, Iterative practices helps designers to learn from their previous mistakes and give a better output. For example (cited in Bayles and Orland 2001), two groups were asked to make ceramics by a teacher. He accessed one group on quantity and the other group on quality. Surprisingly, the first group made many ceramics while learning from their mistakes while the quality group were just discussing about perfect design. This is a great example showing Iterative practice helps in making refinements to design process.
A software development methodology is a standard proven process which helps programmers, architects, system analysts and others to make a well controlled and an efficient progress in the high quality software development.
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) consists of phases used in developing a piece of software. It is the plan of how to develop and maintain software, and when necessary, replace that software. In 2007 during my hospital’s transition to a new software system, I was fortunate enough to be included in the process. I did not get involved until the implementation phase, but from then on, until now, I remain very active in the process. I decided to highlight the Waterfall Model of SDLC. The Waterfall Model is a “sequential development process” with each phase continuing in a line (McGonigle and Mastrian, 2012, p. 205).
Given the time, it takes to develop large sophisticated software systems it not possible to define the problem and build the solution in a single step. Requirements will often change throughout a projects development, due to architectural constraints, customer’s needs or a greater understanding of the original problem. Iteration allows greater understanding of a project through successive refinements and addresses a projects highest risk items at every stage of its lifecycle. Ideally each iteration ends up with an executable release – this helps reduce a projects risk profile, allows greater customer feedback and help developers stay focused.
After proving the feasibility of a concept with a POC and developing first MVPs, prototypes stands in focus. Prototypes are interactive models of the end product, visualizing how the product is working in a beta version. Moreover, prototypes aim to discover errors in the early development process and to adapt functionalities to customer’s requirements by testing and iterating (Gassmann, Frankenberger & Csik, 2017, p.73).
When comparing and contrasting waterfall and agile, they both use the same type of building blocks for the project: scope, cost, schedule and performance. They both also analyze, design, build, test, and deploy the requirement needed for the end result. The difference in these terms for each method is that when using waterfall for scope, cost, schedule, and performance, it sets the scope up front and then allows the cost, schedule, and performance to change depending on what is needed. An agile method will set the cost, schedule, and performance upfront and then have the scope vary, depending on what the company’s requests are after a working prototype. The waterfall is an iterative method meaning the next step cannot begin until the current one is completed. Once the current step is completed, it cannot be revised in anyway unless the project is scrapped and begin again. If the waterfall method is chosen, then the project team
As more companies that are leading technology are transforming from the traditional waterfall development model to an Agile software methodology, requirements engineering provides a process for software engineers to understand the problems they need to solve (Martin, Newkirk, & Koss, 2014). It is of key importance to understand the customer 's wants and needs before beginning designing or building the computer-based solution, as developing a solution that ignores the customer’s needs provides value to none of the parties involved. Thus, the intent of requirements engineering is to produce a written understanding of the customer 's problem (Pressman, 2010). Work products that are available to communicate this understanding include user scenarios, function and feature lists, analysis models, and specifications. This paper provides an evaluation of requirement patterns, an assessment of problem solving techniques most effective, a descriptive explanation of the patterns that includes a visual taxonomy, and an explanation of how the patterns identified are related.
Agile software development is a group of software development methods based on iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing, cross-functional teams. It promotes adaptive planning, evolutionary development and delivery, a time-boxed iterative approach, and encourages rapid and flexible response to change.