Fundamental stages to systems development

• • 1. Planning & Analysis

       1. • Defines criteria for success.

          • Gathers information.

          • Defines scope.

          • Defines inputs and outputs.

    2. System design

       1. • Where data models, prototype designs and testing plans are developed.

          • Suitable data structures and algorithms are proposed.

          • A more detailed feasibility report can be produced at this stage e.g. a cost-benefit analysis.

    3. Development

       1. • The process of creating the system.

          • The coding phase.

          • Discrete tasks are identified and implemented according to a predefined timeline.

    4. Testing

       1. • Where the tests planned during the design phase are applied to check that the system works correctly.

    5. Implementation

       1. • Installation process is managed to minimize any disruption when transitioning between systems.

 Evolution and maintenance

• • • • • Small changes may be handled with maintenance.

        • Larger changes caused by internal or external factors might redefine the requirements of a system.

        • These changes require the development cycle to restart with a new phase of requirements analysis.

Agile system development (ASD)

• • Most agile methods attempt to minimize risk by developing software in short timeboxes, called iterations, which typically last one to four weeks. 

  • Each iteration is like a miniature software project of its own, and includes all the tasks necessary to release the mini-increment of new functionality: planning, requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, and documentation. 

  • While iteration may not add enough functionality to warrant releasing the product, an agile software project intends to be capable of releasing new software at the end of every iteration. 

  • At the end of each iteration, the team reevaluates project priorities.

Emphasis

• • Agile methods emphasize realtime communication, preferably face-to-face, over written documents. Most agile teams are located in a bullpen and include all the people necessary to finish the software. At a minimum, this includes programmers and the people who define the product such as product managers, business analysts, or actual customers. The bullpen may also include testers, interface designers, technical writers, and management 

  • It emphasizes working software as the primary measure of progress. Combined with the preference for face-to-face communication, agile methods produce very little written documentation relative to other methods.

  • It emphasizes close collaboration between the development team and system users throughout the development of the system.

Agile development promotes

• • • Individuals and interactions over processes and tools;

    • Working software over comprehensive documentation;

    • Customer collaboration over contract negotiation;

    • Responding to change over following a plan.

What drives change in Agile Framework?

• • • Software can be seen as a living organism which actively changes due to environmental change.

    • As long as the software is being used, especially when it has competition, iterations in agile software development drive the change