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Contrast methods of agile and waterfall
Project management theory
Strengths and Weaknesses of Waterfall Approach for Software Development
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Introduction
A Development Methodology generally refers to any framework that is used to design, plan, implement and control the process of developing a system. A wide variety of such frameworks have evolved over the years and each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses. It is not possible for any one framework to be suitable for all types of projects, so it is imperative we assess the various frameworks available and select the one that is best suited to the project considered based on technical, organizational, project and team considerations. Some development methodologies are specifically defined for a particular industry, which might later be adapted into a more generic framework. The following methodologies are the most commonly
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In one hand, we have the Waterfall model – the traditional approach where development is handled in a linear series of events from conception to production. On the other hand, we have Agile – a flexible, team-centric, iterative approach to development. Both aim to deliver to software development projects successfully as planned, just in different ways. We will be doing a detailed analysis of each of these approaches, their differences, pros and cons, etc. in a fair and balanced manner and decide which approach best suits the project …show more content…
Agile Development
Agile Development came about as a possible solution to the disadvantages of the Waterfall Model. It borrows heavily from the Iterative Model along with the customer –centric and team-centric approaches to software development frameworks. Instead of handling all the planning upfront, Agile focuses on being lean (reducing waste) and producing minimum viable products (MVPs) over set periods of time.
The term Agile was popularized was popularized by the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. The principles and values outlined in this manifesto were derived from a broad range of software development processes and practices. The four central tenets of the Agile Manifesto are as follows:
Individuals and interactions over processes and
Flexibility: The basis of agile is to accommodate change as software related projects are constantly changing. If there were a change in market or the emergence of a new product, the product could be easily updated. It also enables new ideas and innovation to be implemented mid-project even after the scope has been defined.
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.
During the last year, significant time and resources were allocated to develop the Lowe’s Iterative Project Development Methodology (IPDM). Once completed, the IPDM will provide co-located and virtual teams with standardized organizational processes and execution methodologies.
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
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).
Schrodl, Holger and Wind, Stefan, "Adoption of SCRUM for Software Development Projects: An Exploratory Case Study from the ICT Industry" (2011). AMCIS 2011 Proceedings - All Submissions. Paper 256.
Waterfall or Agile? Differences between predictive and adaptive software methodologies. (2016).SearchSoftwareQuality. Retrieved 5 August 2016, from http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/tip/Waterfall-or-Agile-Differences-between-predictive-and-adaptive-software-methodologies
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 system development life cycle, also know as the SDLC, is the process of designing and developing a system or software to meet certain requirements. (“System development life,”). This cycle involves many different phases, in which the system is planned, analyzed, designed, implemented, and tested. There are five major phases in the system development life cycle: systems planning, systems analysis, systems design, systems implementation, and systems security and support. Each of these phases has a particular responsibility and certain tasks are perfumed in each phase.
Agile development is chosen when the requirements are not clear. This is the reason that it is chosen for the projects where the rate of risk is high. Agile software development is best for the projects where the project can be divided in mini projects and these mini projects are completed by passing through the phase of design, coding and testing. The results of these iterations clear the requirements gradually. The feedback from the customers also clears the requirements. This is the reason that most of the companies use agile development methodology because of the fact that it has the capability to adapt to difficult situation and chase strict deadlines. Agile method is being used all over the software industry. Most of the developers are aware of the fact that Agile methodology is best for them.
A waterfall model is a model that organisations use to help them complete their projects in a more organised and structured way, like a guide. The waterfall model has five stages the organisation has to follow in an order, they are: requirements, design, implementation, verification and maintenance. The first stage (requirements) is when the organisation has to know what the requirements will be when creating the system, what do they need and when do they need it. During the design phase the organisation would need to first draw out some sketches of how the system would look like, the interface and the DFD (data flow diagram). They would need choose the final design so they could move on to the next stage, implementation. This is when you create the system, you use the design you created previously to help you as a guide to complete this stage. The next stage is verification, this is when you verify if the system you created is suitable for the organisation, is it reliable, is it easy to use, those sorts of things. You can verify the system by creating a survey to see what if the system is good enough. The last stage is maintenance, this is happens after you published the system, you need to maintain it by making updates and fixing errors.
Scrum is basically a framework for agile development. Scrum is a process that is used most of the time during complex projects in software development. It is also a simple yet affective way to manage work. The strategy in Scrum is to divide members into a team and have them work together to achieve a common goal or project. Scrum provokes communication between the members of the teams. This communication is imperative to the success of the project.
Williams, (1997) identified four steps to system planning. Earl (1989) proposed five alternate strategy frameworks which project managers should consider when deciding how the system will enhance the business function. Standard business strategy methods are used to identify such opportunities by using: value chains, application searching and information analysis (Earl 1989).
In the wake of testing the framework is sent into the genuine workplace from which it experiences time to time upkeep to guarantee it takes care of the clients evolving requests. The successive arrangement of steps that are in conventional programming advancement models make the improvement process less demanding and more proficient. The periods of programming advancement at the customary models, for example, waterfall and incremental are subjected to modification time by time if there should be an occurrence of changes in the framework. In waterfall, the engineering of the framework being produced by means of outwardly In the first place, shirking of the models can prompt a higher advancement costs. This expense of the product improvement is an essential element in necessities building process. Second, absence of the models can prompt higher or lower cost as the engineers are not ready to decide the precise prerequisite in time, work force, and more necessities. Finally, absence of the product improvement model could prompt pour nature of the advancement programming following the investigation are not done to decide the necessity of the
The Iterative development process was established due to the problems experienced with the Waterfall system process. In this case the project is divided into small manageable parts. Design results are available earlier in the process providing valuable feedback for the next process step. Once individual process steps are completed they can go into production immediately and not delayed till the last completed process as demonstrated in the waterfall model.