ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM-BUILDING APPROACHES

By Arun Mishra

ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM-BUILDING APPROACHES: Prototyping

Prototyping
Process of building experimental system quickly and inexpensively for demonstration and evaluation

Prototype
Preliminary working version of information system for demonstration and evaluation

Iterative
A process of repeating over and over again the steps to build system

The Prototyping Processes

Steps in Prototyping
Identifying users basic requirements Developing initial prototype Using prototype Revising and enhancing prototype

1. 2. 3. 4.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Prototyping Advantage

Useful in designing information systems end-user interface

Disadvantage
Rapid prototyping can gloss over essential steps in systems development

ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM-BUILDING APPROACHES: Application Software Packages Application software packages

Set of prewritten, precoded application software programs commercially available for sale or lease

Customization
Modification of software package to meet organizations unique requirements without destroying the softwares integrity

ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM-BUILDING APPROACHES: End-User Development

Development of information systems by end users with little or no formal assistance from technical specialists Allows users to specify their own business needs

End-User Versus System Lifecycle Development

ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM-BUILDING APPROACHES: End-User Development

Improves requirements gathering leading to higher level of user involvement and satisfaction Cannot easily handle processing of large numbers of transactions or applications

Object-Oriented Software Development

Approach for software development

De-emphasizes procedures Shifts focus from modeling business processes and data to combining data and procedures to create objects

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

Rapid application development (RAD), is fast way of developing software. Process for developing systems in short time period Uses prototyping, fourth-generation tools, and close teamwork Steps involves in the RAD process: Business modelling Data modelling Process modelling Application development

Limitations of RAD approach

For large software projects a huge requirement of human resources will have to be met to ensure RAD development. If customers and developers do not cooperate with each other then RAD process will fail to deliver the software with in the time and cost. Some applications do not lend themselves to modularized treatment. Such applications are not suitable for RAD development. RAD is not suitable for technically challenging applications that require taking technical risks.