Infolific » Methodologies

Agile Software Development

Marios Alexandrou — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 06:58:35 +0000

Agile software development is a conceptual framework for undertaking software engineering projects. There are a number of agile software development methodologies e.g. Crystal Methods, Dynamic Systems Development Model (DSDM), and Scrum Most agile methods attempt to minimize risk by developing software in short timeboxes, called iterations, which typically last one [...]

Crystal Methods Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:47:44 +0000

Alistair Cockburn developed the Crystal Methods approach. His focus is on the people, interaction, community, skills, talents, and communications with the belief that these are what have the first-order effect on performance. Process, he says, is important, but secondary. Cockburn's philosophy translate into a recognition that each team has a [...]

Joint Application Development (JAD) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:38:26 +0000

The Joint Application Development (JAD) methodology aims to involve the client in the design and development of an application. This is accomplished through a series of collaborative workshops called JAD sessions. Two employees of IBM, Chuck Morris and Tony Crawford, developed the JAD methodology in the late 1970s and began [...]

Lean Development (LD) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 06:26:07 +0000

Lean Development focuses on the creation of change-tolerant software. This methodology embodies the notion of dynamic stability which can be thought of as similar to how Scrum embraces controlled chaos. Bob Charette, the originator, writes that the measurable goal of LD is to build software with one-third the human effort, [...]

PRINCE2

Marios Alexandrou — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 06:05:51 +0000

PRINCE2 is project management methodology that takes a process-based approach. It consists of the following 8 high-level processes: Directing a Project:This process defines the responsibilities of the Project Board for the project. The project manager keeps the Project Board informed with regular reports. The board otherwise leave the day-to day-management [...]

Rapid Application Development (RAD) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:56:07 +0000

RAD (rapid application development) proposes that products can be developed faster and of higher quality by: Using workshops or focus groups to gather requirements. Prototyping and user testing of designs. Re-using software components. Following a schedule that defers design improvements to the next product version. Keeping review meetings and other [...]

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Marios Alexandrou — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 05:52:06 +0000

The systems development life cycle (SDLC) is a conceptual model used in project management that describes the stages involved in an information system development project, from an initial feasibility study through maintenance of the completed application. Various SDLC methodologies have been developed to guide the processes involved, including the waterfall [...]

Waterfall (a.k.a. Traditional) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:50:34 +0000

The waterfall model is a popular version of the systems development life cycle model for software engineering. Often considered the classic approach to the systems development life cycle, the waterfall model describes a development method that is rigid and linear. Waterfall development has distinct goals for each phase of development [...]

Software Isn't a House

Marios Alexandrou — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:10:42 +0000

I came across a discussion recently (I can't remember where) about how the typical comparison between writing software and building a house is flawed. The article was pretty compelling, pointing out that because a building is something very tangible and physical, it doesn't actually compare very well to software. For [...]

Capability Maturity Model (CMM)

Marios Alexandrou — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:36:05 +0000

The power failure in NY had one good consequence for me. Without power I couldn't use my computer or waste time in front of a TV. There was nothing else to do except read. So I dug in to my pile of unread Software Development (now merged with Dr. Dobb's) [...]

Feature Driven Development (FDD) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:01:05 +0000

Jeff De Luca and Peter Coad were both greatly involved in developing the Feature Driven Development methodology. Peter describes FDD as having "just enough process to ensure scalability and repeatability while encouraging creativity and innovation. More specifically, Feature Driven Development asserts that: A system for building systems is necessary in [...]

Adaptive Project Framework

Marios Alexandrou — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:29:23 +0000

The fundamental concept underlying the adaptive project framework (APF) is that scope is variable, and within specified time and cost constraints, APF maximizes business value by adjusting scope at each iteration. It does this by making the client the central figure in deciding what constitutes that maximum business value. At [...]

Dynamic Systems Development Model (DSDM) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 03:35:12 +0000

The Dynamic Systems Development Model was developed in the U.K. in the mid-1990s. It is the evolution of rapid application development (RAD) practices. DSDM boasts the best-supported training and documentation of any of the agile software development techniques, at least in Europe. DSDM favors the philosophy that nothing is built [...]

ITIL Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 04:11:18 +0000

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a collection of best practices that aim to improve and then maintain a certain level of computing services quality in the information technology sector. ITIL covers organizational structure and skill requirements for an IT organization via a comprehensive set of procedures with which [...]

Extreme Programming (XP) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:52:55 +0000

The main goal of XP is to lower the cost of change in software requirements. With traditional system development methodologies, like the Waterfall Methodology, the requirements for the system are determined and often "frozen" at the beginning of the development project. This means that the cost of changing the requirements [...]

TenStep Project Management Process

Marios Alexandrou — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 06:26:12 +0000

I used to have a description of the TenStep Project Management Process on this page having found the information I read from a book about the process to be interesting and useful. However, I've since learned that a description of how I used the process was in violation of the [...]

Rational Unified Process (RUP) Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:35:32 +0000

The Rational Unified Process attempts to capture many of modern software development's best practices in a form suitable for a wide range of projects and organizations. This process recognizes that the traditional waterfall approach can be inefficient because it idles key team members for extended periods of time. Many feel [...]

Scrum Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:24:17 +0000

Scrum is an agile method for project management developed by Ken Schwaber. Its goal is to dramatically improve productivity in teams previously paralyzed by heavier, process-laden methodologies. Its intended use is for management of software development projects as well as a wrapper to other software development methodologies such as Extreme [...]

Spiral Methodology

Marios Alexandrou — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:41:31 +0000

The spiral methodology extends the waterfall model by introducing prototyping. It is generally chosen over the waterfall approach for large, expensive, and complicated projects. At a high-level, the steps in the spiral model are as follows: The new system requirements are defined in as much detail as possible. This usually [...]

Web Development Methodology - Part 1

Marios Alexandrou — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:46:03 +0000

A medium-sized consulting company I once worked developed their own methodology for dealing with web development projects. This company has since gone out of business making their methodology public. Not that there's much here that doesn't fall in to standard practices for consulting firms. I'm reproducing a summary here as [...]