Giving reasons for your answer based on the type of system being developed, suggest the most appropriate generic software process model that might be used as a basis for managing the development of the following systems:

Question

• A system to control anti-lock braking in a car
• A virtual reality system to support software maintenance
• A university accounting system that replaces an existing system
• An interactive travel planning system that helps users plan journeys
with the lowest environmental impact

Answer 1

1. Anti-lock braking system This is a safety-critical system so requires a lot of
up-front analysis before implementation. It certainly needs a plan-driven
approach to development with the requirements carefully analysed. A
waterfall model is therefore the most appropriate approach to use, perhaps
with formal transformations between the different development stages.
2. Virtual reality system This is a system where the requirements will change
and there will be an extensive user interface components. Incremental
development with, perhaps, some UI prototyping is the most appropriate
model. An agile process may be used.
3. University accounting system This is a system whose requirements are
fairly well-known and which will be used in an environment in conjunction
with lots of other systems such as a research grant management system.
Therefore, a reuse-based approach is likely to be appropriate for this.
4. Interactive travel planning system System with a complex user interface but
which must be stable and reliable. An incremental development approach is
the most appropriate as the system requirements will change as real user
experience with the system is gained.