Software Development Processes and Requirements
Software Development Processes
Software development involves transforming user requirements into functional software. Key processes include:
- Software Specification: Defining the software’s functionality and operational constraints with input from customers and engineers.
- Software Development: Designing and programming the software.
- Software Validation: Verifying that the software meets customer requirements.
- Software Evolution: Modifying the software to adapt to changing customer needs and market demands.
Software Requirements
Software requirements define the desirable properties of a software system. They reflect customer needs and guide the development process. This includes discovering, analyzing, documenting, and verifying these requirements.
Incremental Development Models
Incremental models deliver working software in stages.
Spiral Model
The spiral model combines iterative prototyping with the systematic aspects of the linear sequential model, incorporating risk analysis.
Incremental Model
The incremental model combines elements of the waterfall model, delivering functional increments iteratively.
Waterfall Model Steps
The waterfall model is a sequential design process, often used in software development processes, in which progress is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of software implementation.
- Requirements: Generating specification documents that serve as the basis for budget, schedule, etc.
- Design: Achieving a clear and precise understanding of the problem domain and software features.
- Project: Defining data structures, software architecture, procedures, and interfaces.
- Encoding: Translating the design into a machine-readable language.
- Testing: Ensuring that the program produces the expected results.
- Maintenance: Analyzing performance problems and addressing errors.
Continuous Integration
Continuous Integration (CI) integrates agile development practices to maintain software quality. It reduces failures by automating tests and builds, notifying stakeholders of any issues.
Project Manager Responsibilities
A project manager’s responsibilities include:
- Defining project scope
- Tracking progress
- Managing risks
- Allocating team resources
- Ensuring budget adherence
Timeline Management
Effective timeline management involves:
- Identifying activities
- Identifying dependencies
- Estimating resources
- Allocating personnel
- Creating project diagrams
Design Requirements
Design requirements are categorized as:
Functional Requirements
Statements of services the system should provide, how the system should react to particular inputs, and how it should behave in certain situations.
Non-Functional Requirements
Restrictions on the services or functions offered by the system, such as reliability, robustness, and efficiency.
User Requirements
Statements in natural language with diagrams, describing the services the system provides and the constraints under which it must operate.
System Requirements
Definitions of the functions, services, and operational constraints of the system. The system requirements document must be precise.