Software Project Management

ASSIGNMENT NO #01

AKRAM ULLAH
24 OCT 2023

20PWBCS 0479
Exercise No #01
A company is rewriting its payroll system to move it from an old batch-type mainframe to a
distributed mini-computer/PC-based networked setup. No new functionality will be added. The
statement of work calls for a conversion “as is.” Only the input and output subsystems will be
altered for the new environment. Since it is a payroll application, testing and verification will be
emphasized within the development activities. The schedule allows five months for the project,
with two people working on it.

What do you think is the most Appropriate Life Cycle Approach?

ANS: Given that the project involves converting the existing payroll system with no new features,
and testing and verification are paramount, the most appropriate life cycle approach could be the
Waterfall model. Its structured, sequential phases are well-suited for clearly defined
requirements and predictable schedules. However, consider an Iterative Waterfall or V-Model if
there's a need for some flexibility and iterative development

What is the advantage of this approach for this project?

ANS: The Waterfall approach is like following a clear roadmap for this payroll project. It's ideal
because the project's requirements are stable and known from the start.

Precise Testing: The Waterfall approach means careful testing at each step, so you catch any
problems early.

On Schedule: With a tight schedule and a small team, Waterfall's step-by-step method helps with
planning and staying on track.

Step-by-Step: Like building one piece at a time, the Waterfall approach keeps things simple and
focused.

Good Records: Waterfall is also great for keeping detailed records, which can be handy in the
future.

In simple terms, it's like a clear path to get the job done right.

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Exercise No #02
A company, an electronics giant, has recently decided to venture into a related small business
area developing wristwatch communicators. The device would be similar to a two-way radio and
would be expected to work over a 50-mile radius. The company has considerable previous
experience on product lines similar to this, and believes that a cheaper price could present a
value-added challenge to the cellular market. It would like to have a working model to present
at a national electronics fair coming up six months from now.

What do you think is the most Appropriate Life Cycle Approach?

ANS: The most appropriate approach for this project is 'Agile.' It's like sprinting to create a
working wristwatch communicator within six months. Agile allows for quick, customer-focused
development, flexibility to adapt to changes, and iterative improvements—ideal for showcasing at
a national electronics fair.

What is the advantage of this approach for this project?

The advantage of using the Agile approach for this project is the ability to rapidly develop and
present a working model of the wristwatch communicator at the national electronics fair. Here are
the key advantages:

​ Rapid Progress: Agile emphasizes short development cycles (sprints) and continuous
delivery. This allows the company to make swift progress in creating a functional
prototype within the tight six-month timeframe, aligning with the goal of showcasing at the
fair.

​ Flexibility: Agile accommodates changing requirements and market feedback. Since the
company is entering a new market, flexibility is crucial to adapt to evolving customer
needs and technological advancements.

​ Customer-Centric: Agile prioritizes customer satisfaction and value delivery. With the goal
of presenting the working model at the fair, the Agile approach ensures that the end
product aligns with the target audience's expectations.

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 ​ Iterative Improvement: Agile's iterative nature enables the company to refine the
wristwatch communicator's design and functionality based on real-world testing and
feedback, increasing the chances of a successful product launch.

​ Collaboration: Agile fosters close collaboration among cross-functional teams, enhancing

communication and teamwork. This is particularly beneficial in addressing the technical
and market complexities of the project.

Exercise No #03
A company has recently completed a 3-year process to develop a cellular infrastructure
switching system to compete with industry leaders such as Motorola and Ericsson. It is now
ready to move into the next phase where new releases will be issued approximately every four
months. An average of 15 new features and an appropriate number of bug fixes will be included
in each release spread across teams composed of one to three engineers. Development times
for the new features can range from one to five months. Some features can require multiple
releases for full implementation.

What do you think is the most Appropriate Life Cycle Approach?

ANS:An Iterative and Incremental approach, combined with Agile principles, is most
appropriate. It allows for regular releases of new features, handles different development times,
and accommodates complex features that may require multiple releases.

What is the advantage of this approach for this project?

The advantage of using an Iterative and Incremental approach with Agile principles for this
project is the ability to adapt to changing requirements, release new features regularly, and
efficiently manage varying development times. Here are the key advantages:

​ Adaptability: The iterative and incremental approach allows the project to adapt to
evolving customer needs and market changes more effectively. Agile principles
emphasize continuous feedback and adjustments.

​ Frequent Value Delivery: Regular releases of new features every four months ensure that
customers receive value more frequently. This can help the company stay competitive
and responsive to industry trends.

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 ​ Efficient Resource Allocation: Teams composed of one to three engineers can work on
different features independently, making efficient use of resources and accommodating
different feature development times.

​ Partial Feature Delivery: For features requiring multiple releases, the approach allows for
partial feature delivery, ensuring that the system becomes more capable over time
without long delays.

​ Customer-Centric: Agile principles focus on customer satisfaction and collaboration. By

involving customers in the development process and releasing new features regularly, the
company can better meet customer expectations.

Exercise No #04
A company has created a new small business division to develop a specialized communications
system. Approximately 15 persons will be transferred from key areas of the company to form the
base for the venture. Some 28 additional people will be hired from the outside, the bulk of which
are engineers. It has already been decided that Object-Oriented tools and approaches will be
used with C++ as the language. None of the participants has any prior knowledge of these
techniques, but will go through ten days of training when they come on board. In addition, a
consortium-partner of the company has just released a new workstation platform (its first). Due to
these alliances, the consortium platform will be the development platform of choice. Training is
also being scheduled for the new workstation. The primary satellite supplier, OO Aerospace, has
been having major financial difficulties due to military cutbacks and has laid off about 35 percent
of its work force.

What do you think is the most Appropriate Life Cycle Approach?

ANS: The most appropriate life cycle approach for this project would be the "Iterative and
Incremental" model, with a focus on "Agile" methodology.

What is the advantage of this approach for this project?

ANS: The advantage of using an Iterative and Incremental approach with Agile principles for this
project is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, manage complexity, and foster
continuous learning.

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Here are the key advantages:

​ Adaptability: An Iterative and Incremental approach allows the project to adapt to

evolving technology, team composition, and external factors such as supplier issues. This
adaptability reduces the risk of unexpected setbacks.

​ Continuous Learning: Agile principles promote ongoing learning and improvement. The
ten-day training program can be integrated into the project, with team members applying
their new knowledge and skills throughout the iterative cycles.

​ Risk Mitigation: By breaking the project into smaller iterations, issues and challenges can
be identified and addressed early, reducing the risk of costly late-stage changes or
project failures.

​ Collaboration and Teamwork: Agile methodologies emphasize close collaboration

among team members and stakeholders. This is particularly beneficial for a project with a
mix of internal and external team members, ensuring effective teamwork and
communication.

​ Stakeholder Engagement: Agile encourages regular stakeholder involvement, ensuring

that the project aligns with business goals and customer expectations. This is crucial
when dealing with evolving technology and external dependencies.

The End