Software Development Methodologies, Research Paper Example

The Development Stages of Analysis and Design

An analysis was conducted in order to determine the student system management design.this analysis was intended to critically evaluate the condition of the current student management system. The system analysis was conducted with six main objectives, listed below;

• Identify the school’s need(s)
• Appraise the feasibility of the system concept
• Execute technical and economic analysis
• Allocate functions to system elements (e.g. database, users, software and hardware)
• Determine schedule and cost constraints
• Develop the foundation for future engineering work through the development of a system definition.

The technical feasibility analysis and study revealed that the necessary technology to develop the student system management is available. The proposed equipment has the technical capacity to hold the data required from the new system.

Testing

Testing is a critical and essential determinant of the success of the proposed student management system. This ensures that the system functions as desired by the school management. There are three critical levels of testing.

Unit testing: this level of testing involves analyzing and testing individual elements of the student management system. This level of testing is critical for progress. Without this level of testing, programmers would develop software without functionality. This validates the functionality of individual units/components of the program. This allows programmers to find and rectify any potential problems (bugs) with the source code.

System testing: this level of testing analyzes the complete and fully integrated system. This type of testing is developed for the purpose of analyzing the compliance of the system with specified prerequisites. This level of testing employs a test team.

Acceptance Testing: this is the final level of testing. It analyzes how acceptable the system is, relative to the expected users. This determines whether the student management system achieves the required school management standards and its acceptance for delivery.

The Role of Programming, Conversion, Production and Maintenance

Programming, conversion, production and maintenance are all interrelated aspects. Programming provides that instructions for the computer through translating the design specifications into software. Conversion is the process of shifting from the old system into a new system. Upon the completion of conversion after installation, all product operations embody production. Maintenance ensures process efficiency through hardware, software, procedure or documentation modification (s).

Programming is a critical aspect of system development. However, it accounts for a much smaller portion of the system development lifecycle when compared to activities such as testing or design. Conversion is particularly challenging when the system shift encompasses switching between two incompatible system formats. Production is constantly faced with downtime as a result of software or hardware malfunction, or possibly the corruption of system documentation.

Software Development Methods

There are a number of software development methods that can be employed to complete the student management system. The most notable and widely applicable software development methods include; 1) Agile Software Development, 2) Crystal Methods and 3) Dynamic Sysytems Development

Crystal Methods

This technique concentrates on the social aspects of the system, i.e. interaction, people, skills, community, communications, and talent. This is based on the notion that these factors have the first influences on the performance of the system. The crystal method essentially differentiates each element by virtue of their characteristics.

Dynamic System Development Method

The Dynamic System Development method has one specific advantage over the other alternatives; supported-training and documentation that is recognized globally. DSDM is founded on nine core principles. They include:

• Active user participation.
• Empowered teams that can make decisions.
• An emphasis on recurrent product delivery.
• Incremental and iterative development to guarantee convergence on a precise administration resolution.
• Reversible changes during development.
• High-level baselined requirements.
• Incorporated testing through the life cycle.
• Cooperation and support between stakeholders.

Extreme programming is an unconventional yet cost effective system development method. This technique develops software in a very unstable environment with the goal of gaining modelling flexibility. This guarantees lower costs when applying chages to software. System requirements are determined upon commencement and can still be altered. The code employed is simple and easy to work with.

Recommendatsion for System Devlopment Method

Taking into consideration the available alternatives, a crystal methods approach would be best suited for this particular system. This methodology focuses on the relationship between the different elements so as to ensure and sustain productivity of the system. An object-oriented development falls under this category. This is because the objects are accentuated and the process mainly de-emphasized. This creates a model where different and distinctive objects that are made up of data and procedures.

This technique ideally suits the nature and structure of the information. The school management is mainly concerned with its relationships with the students via its different functional areas (departments). Owing to the fact that the system will entail different distinct elements, such an approach would ensure a well-defined relationship in terms of data and processes.

References

Landry, N. (2011). Iterative & agile implementation methodologies in business intelligence. Place of publication not identified: Lulu Com.

Turban, E., Volonino, L., & Wood, G. (2013). Information technology for management: Advancing sustainable, profitable business growth (9th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.