Software Development Process Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following are phases of the software development process? (Select all that apply)

Deployment (correct)

Modeling (correct)

Communication (correct)

Maintenance

What is the software process?

The software process is a strategy used by the development team to build quality software.

The Waterfall Lifecycle is a flexible approach to software development.

False

Name three approaches to software development.

Linear, Iterative, Evolutionary Signup and view all the answers

The three major factors that influence the choice of a software process are the nature of the project, methods and tools to be used, and the __________.

requirements of the stakeholder Signup and view all the answers

What does the modeling phase aim to do?

Create blueprints and models Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of umbrella activities in the software development process?

They support framework activities as the project progresses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a software process?

The strategy used by the development team to build quality software. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences the choice of a software process?

Budget constraints Signup and view all the answers

What are umbrella activities in a software process?

Activities that support the framework activities as the project progresses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of the modeling phase in a generic software process?

To create a blueprint and models of the system Signup and view all the answers

The iterative process in software development repeats all activities from the beginning.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name the five activities encompassed in a generic process framework.

Communication, Planning, Modeling, Construction, Deployment. Signup and view all the answers

Which software development model executes activities in a circular manner?

Evolutionary model Signup and view all the answers

In the traditional Waterfall Lifecycle, each phase is focused on a specific aspect of the software product to be produced. The first phase is called ___.

Project Initiation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Software Development Process

A software development process provides a strategy for building quality software. It consists of framework activities, task sets, and umbrella activities.
Framework activities, also known as phases, aim to achieve broad objectives. They are carried out by development team members.
Tasks focus on specific, well-defined goals and produce tangible outputs.
Task sets or actions combine multiple tasks to produce major work products.
Umbrella activities support framework activities throughout the project lifecycle. Examples include software project management, change management, and risk management.

Generic Process Framework

A process framework establishes a complete software engineering process by defining framework activities and umbrella activities.
The generic process framework encompasses five activities:
- Communication: Facilitating communication between customers and stakeholders to understand project objectives and gather requirements.
- Planning: Creating a software project plan outlining tasks, risks, resources, work products, and schedules.
- Modeling: Building blueprints and models to understand the system. This process is usually iterative, refining the model in greater detail.
- Construction: Coding and testing software based on the created models.
- Deployment: Delivering the completed software to stakeholders for evaluation and gathering feedback.

Generic Process Models

Process models represent different approaches to software development.
Generic Process Models follow four process flows:
- Linear: Executes framework activities in a sequential order.
- Iterative: Repeats one or more activities before moving to the next.
- Evolutionary (Incremental): Executes activities in a circular manner, leading to increasingly complete versions of the software.
- Parallel: Executes multiple activities concurrently.

Systems Development Lifecycles (SDLC)

The Waterfall Lifecycle is a traditional, rigid approach to software development, where phases are executed sequentially.
A pure waterfall approach can include the following phases:
- Project Initiation: Defining project scope, conducting high-level investigations and estimations, exploring potential solutions, evaluating benefits versus costs, and recommending a preferred option.
- Analysis: Investigating, documenting, and assessing the existing system and gathering new requirements.

The Software Process

A software process is a strategy used by developers to ensure quality software
The software process utilizes a collection of frameworks, tasks, and umbrella activities that help achieve a broad objective
Framework activities are performed by the development team, known as phases of the software development process (e.g., Modeling Phase)
Tasks involve smaller defined objectives resulting in tangible outcomes and produce a major work product (e.g., Specification Task in the Requirements Engineering Task Set of the Modeling Phase)
Umbrella activities are performed throughout the project to support the framework activities (e.g., Project Management, Change Management, Requirements Management, Risk Management)
Factors considered in choosing a software process include the nature of the project, tools, stakeholder requirements, and common sense

Generic Process Framework

Creates a complete software engineering process by identifying framework activities and umbrella activities
Five generic process framework activities:
- Communication: Collaboration with stakeholders to gather requirements and define software functions
- Planning: Creates the project plan, including tasks, resources, work products, and schedule
- Modeling: Creates blueprints and models to understand the system better, often iterative to refine details
- Construction: Combines coding and testing based on the created model
- Deployment: Delivering the software to stakeholders for evaluation and feedback

Generic Process Models

Suggest how to build software using a specific model by outlining process flows
Four generic process models:
- Linear: Framework activities are executed in sequence
- Iterative: Some activities are repeated before moving to the next
- Evolutionary (Incremental): Activities are executed in a circular manner, leading to more complete software versions
- Parallel: Activities are executed simultaneously

Systems Development Lifecycles (SDLC)

Traditional approach to software development is the Waterfall Lifecycle
A rigid sequence of phases focused on specific aspects of the software product
Pure waterfall approach phases:
- Project Initiation: Defines terms of reference, conducts high-level investigation and estimates, explores problems and solutions, analyzes benefits vs. costs, and recommends options
- Analysis: Investigates, documents, and assesses the current system, gathers and documents new requirements

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Description

This quiz explores the software development process, focusing on framework activities, task sets, and umbrella activities. It emphasizes the importance of communication and project management throughout the software lifecycle. Test your knowledge of the strategies vital for building quality software.