The Confounding World of
Process Methodologies
By
Thelma Hataria
Overview
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Importance of Methodologies
Characteristics of Heavyweight Methodologies
Heavyweight Methodologies
Advantages and Disadvantages
Characteristics of Lightweight methodologies
Agile (Lightweight) Methodologies
Advantages and Disadvantages
Conclusion
Definition-Methodology
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“A methodology is a codified set of practices
(sometimes accompanied by training materials,
formal educational programs, worksheets, and
diagramming tools) that may be repeatedly carried
out to produce software”-Wikipedia
Importance of Methodologies
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Earlier method “Code and Fix”
Methodologies impose a disciplined process
upon software development
An inappropriate choice of methodology can
lead to delayed delivery, project failure and
customer dissatisfaction
Making an informed choice will lead to high
quality software
Types of Methodologies
Methodologies
Lightweight Methodologies
Heavyweight Methodologies
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Characteristics of Heavyweight
Methodologies
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Plan-Oriented
Detailed Documentation
Predictive Approach
Process Oriented
Tool Oriented
Heavyweight Methodologies
“Waterfall Model”
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Real heavyweight methodology
Phase oriented
Changes in requirements are not readily
acceptable
Minimum customer involvement
Heavyweight Methodologies
“Spiral Model”
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Not so heavy
Iterative & incremental approach
Focuses on risk resolution
Plan oriented
Heavyweight Methodologies
“Rational Unified Process”
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Lightest heavyweight methodology
Focuses on process improvement
Iterative approach
Changes can be accommodated readily
Tool oriented
Advantages of Heavyweight
Methodologies
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Safe Approach -“Tried and Tested”
Reliable
Work towards customer satisfaction
High Quality of Software
Disadvantages of Heavyweight
Methodologies
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Bureaucratic by nature
Detailed activities slow process development
Characteristics of Lightweight
Methodologies
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People-Oriented
Conformance to Outcomes
Adaptive Approach
Balancing Flexibility and Planning
Decentralized Approach
Limited Team Size
Lightweight Methodologies
“Extreme Programming (XP)”
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Short iteration cycles (2-3 weeks)
Communication and Feedback
Concentrates on Productivity
Pair Programming Approach
Complete customer involvement
Frequent Integration
Lightweight Methodologies
“Scrum”
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Very short iteration cycles(30 days)
Sprint meetings held for each iteration
Demonstration of updates
Close monitoring through scrum meetings
More importance to working software
Lightweight Methodologies
“Crystal Family”
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Heavy Lightweight methodology
Heaviness of methodology can vary
depending on the criticality and size of the
project
Group of approaches for different team sizes
Each team have different set of talent and
skills
Dependent on advice of experts
Advantages of Lightweight
Methodologies
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Flexible approach
Accommodate changes
Faster delivery
Customer satisfaction
Disadvantages of Lightweight
Methodologies
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Experts not always on hand
Progress cannot be always tracked
Conclusion
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Both classes of methodologies have one goal”Software Quality”
Project characteristics and organizations goals need
to be matched to objectives of the methodology
Heavyweight methodologies is the best option when
reliability is the issue
Lightweight methodologies are needed where
customer requirements change constantly
Thank you
Any questions?
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