Iterative Rapid Application Development Methods

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USoft Approach follows not a linear method but an Iterative Rapid Application Development (IRAD) method. IRADs have the following characteristics:

The work is short-cycled. Phases still have global predefined results, but they are much shorter. At the end of each phase, there is a new opportunity to redefine the results to be met in the next phase.

A "good enough" result is often defined for a phase. If prioritization allows, it is possible in a next phase to come back to the work and finish it off more thoroughly.

The term 'rapid' refers to the fact that a version of the target application is available at an early stage in the process.

The term 'iterative' refers to the cyclical nature of the work. Work cycles are repeated in two ways:

Activities are recurrent. Planning takes place not only at the beginning, but recurs at the beginning of each cycle.

Subjects are recurrent. Rather than having one phase for each subject or domain, a subject or domain is revisited in later phases and gradually perfected to the extent allowed by time, budget and prorities.

IRAD is more flexible than linear methods. It matches the work organisation of agile methodologies such as DSDM and Scrum.

Each cycle in the USoft Approach has a PLAN, a DEFINE and an IMPLEMENT phase. The figure below shows not only the three phases but also the main points of interest for each phase:

TW_clip0002

 

See Also

Plan Phase

Define Phase

Implement Phase