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Sort Description:Nine (9) Principles of Dynamic Systems Development

Posted in Agile Software Development, Information Systems Engineering by
Summary of Nine Principles of DSDM
  1. Active User Involvement is Imperative
    • DSDM – a user-centred approach
    • Active participation through lifecycle
  2. DSDM Teams must be Empowered to Make Decisions
    • DSDM team comprises developers and users
    • Decisions made as requirements refined or changed
    • No need for recourse to higher management
    • Rapid and informed decision-making
  3. The Focus is on Frequent Delivery of Products
    • Team produces agreed products throughout lifecycle
    • Team chooses best approach to achieve objectives
    • Ensures focus on delivery, not just activity
  4. Fitness for Business Purpose is the Essential Criterion for Acceptance of Deliverables
    • Build the right product before you build it right
    • Meeting business need is more important than technical perfection
  5. An Iterative and Incremental Approach is Necessary  to Converge on an Accurate Business Solution
    • DSDM allows solutions to emerge incrementally
    • Developers make full use of user feedback
    • Partial solutions can be delivered to meet immediate needs
  6. All Changes During Development are Reversible
    • All products should be in a known state at all times
    • It should be possible to step backwards, where an approach does not work
    • The team should be willing to embrace change and not be defensive
  7. Requirements are Baselined at a High Level
    • Freezing and agreeing purpose and scope of system
    • Baseline at a level which allows detailed investigation of requirements at a later stage
  8. Testing is Integrated Throughout the Lifecycle
    • Not a separate activity at the end
    • System is tested and reviewed incrementally by developers and users
    • Testing evolves as prototypes mature
    • Aim is to find and fix errors as early as possible
  9. A Collaborative and Co-operative Approach between all Stakeholders is Essential
    • Everyone working together as a team
    • Shared goal of achieving the business objectives
    • Give and take on all sides
    • Involves all parties, not just core team

Nine Principles of DSDM -Detail

Source

  • University of Greenwich,  London, UK

Information System Prototyping

Posted in Agile Software Development by
Information System Prototype

A prototype typically simulates only a few aspects of the final solution, and may be completely different from the final product.In terms of an information system, prototypes are employed to help system designers build an information system that intuitive and easy to manipulate for end users. Prototyping is an iterative process that is part of the analysis phase of the systems development life cycle.

During the requirements determination portion of the systems analysis phase, system analysts gather information about the organization’s current procedures and business processes related the proposed information system. In addition, they study the current information system, if there is one, and conduct user interviews and collect documentation. This helps the analysts develop an initial set of system requirements.

Prototyping can augment this process because it converts these basic, yet sometimes intangible, specifications into a tangible but limited working model of the desired information system. The user feedback gained from developing a physical system that the users can touch and see facilitates an evaluative response that the analyst can employ to modify existing requirements as well as developing new ones.

Dimensions of prototypes
  1. Horizontal Prototype:  A common term for a user interface prototype is the horizontal prototype. It provides a broad view of an entire system or subsystem, focusing on user interaction more than low-level system functionality, such as database access. Horizontal prototypes are useful for:
    • Confirmation of user interface requirements and system scope
    • Demonstration version of the system to obtain buy-in from the business
    •  Develop preliminary estimates of development time, cost and effort.
  2. Vertical Prototype: A vertical prototype is a more complete elaboration of a single subsystem or function. It is useful for obtaining detailed requirements for a given function, with the following benefits:
    • Refinement database design
    • Obtain information on data volumes and system interface needs, for network sizing and performance engineering
    • Clarifies complex requirements by drilling down to actual system functionality
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