vcu information systems institute advanced delivery methodology courtesy of data management that...

VCU Information Systems Institute

Advanced Delivery Methodology

Courtesy of

Data Management That Works


Why use a Methodology?

To help use resources wisely To help ensure that systems meet

owners’ and users’ expectations To help standardize projects so that

lessons may be learned can become part of the Enterprise’s culture


Standish Group 1995 Study

They talked to IS executives and managers and evaluated 385 companies in major industries like: banking, manufacturing, retail, health care, insurance, and government.

The research represented 8,380 applications in development or deployed in 1995.


Staggering Statistics US Organizations spend more than $250 Billion each year

on more than 175,000 Information Technology projects. 31% of these projects will be cancelled, $81 Billion spent

without results. About half of projects cost nearly twice their original

estimates (53% & 189%). About $59 Billion is spent for projects that eventually

complete, but exceed original time & cost estimates. Overall, 16% of software projects are completed on time

and in budget, only 9% in largest organizations studied.


More Staggering Statistics

Projects completed by the largest companies have only 42% of originally proposed features and functions.

For smaller companies, 78% reach deployment with at least 74% of their original features and functions.


Factors for Success

The Standish Group found these key factors for excellence in IT project delivery:» User involvement

» Clear requirement statement

» Executive and management support

» Formal methodolgy


Comparison of Methodologies

Traditional Systems Development Methodology» Typical of shops using 3GL» Analyze --> Specify --> Design --> Develop --> Test & Debug -->

Deliver

Advanced Delivery Methodology» As practiced by UniData’s professional services teams using SB+

4GL, postrelational application environment» Expertize in 4GL tools and business processes --> Analysis through

Joint Application Design & Prototyping --> Specification --> Dynamic Rapid Application Development --> Quality Assurance by Developer & Acceptor --> Delivery


Traditional Methodology

Analysis Design

SystemSpecification

DevelopmentTest & Debug

DeliverableSystem

Iterations


All too often...

Analysis Design

SystemSpecification

DevelopmentTest & Debug

DeliverableSystem

Iterations


Problems withTraditional Methodology

It is not flexible» End-user is restricted by initial specifications and doesn’t know it

until post-delivery

» No user buy-in, little influence in specification or design

It is risky» Developers don’t communicate with end-users for most of the

design & development trade-offs and decisions

» Deliverable systems may ‘miss the boat’

Long Delivery Cycles» High costs

» Not responsive to business needs


A Modern Methodology

Advanced Delivery Methodology (ADM)» Development team knows 4GL environment and is familiar

with users’ applications and expectations» Joint Application Design (JAD) workshops involve developers

and end-users– Ensure and encourage high end-user involvement and

ownership in software design and implementation

– Enables ongoing and instant feedback on work-in-progress and deliverable, avoids ‘missing the boat’

– Enhances and develops communications and relationships with the customers (KEY success factor!)

– Goal is a prototype, not a deliverable application system


Friendly JAD

Design workshop with developers and end-users

Team of Users &Developers

do Joint Application Design

Developers use Rapid ApplicationDevelopment to

prototype systems



Features software prototyping with minimal commitment to final design» Ensures functional objectives are being met through interim

checkpoints» Provides the ability to identify changes in scope quickly and

cost-effectively» Encourages user involvement in system design and trade-

offs, executives and management see results and costs» Enhances and develops communications with the customers


Dynamic RAD Approach

PresentationReports - Forms - Menus

Business Logic

Validations - DefaultsNavigation Flow - Security

Database Schema

File Definitions Transaction & Update Definitions


An Application Module

Presentation

Business Logic

Database Schema


Dynamic RAD

Presentation

Business Logic

Database Schema

Vertical Prototyping

HorizontalPrototyping

Order Entry

Purchasing

Scheduling

G/L & Tax


Application Development

JAD RAD

Development


Development Standards

Feature a set of pre-defined rules and standards for developers to follow» Presentation, navagation, coding, & design

standards» Promotes consistency through application life cycle» Encourages use of ‘Best Practices’ by developers» Customization is specifically for each project» Allows continuous enhancement and update



JAD RAD QA


Quality Assurance

ADM features an easy method to provide QA-on-the-fly» Unit testing rather than module testing» Facilitates easy problem isolation» Minimizes programmiing errors (bugs)» Reduces QA time requirements» Traps significant design issues well in

advance



JAD RAD QA


Structured Project Management

Each phase in the methodolgy is treated as a ‘project’ with:» a particular end-product» a deliverer» an acceptor

The project management process is easily adapted, since the principles remain the same.


Formal Project Management

Utilizes formal procedures:» Estimating» Deliverable Acceptance» Scope Changes» QA & Testing» Project Status Reporting & Tracking

Project Book includes:» Estimating templates, deliverable acceptance,

change requests, unit test results, QA checklists, project status reports, project time sheets


Formal Project Management

Tools Include:» Task based estimating» Estimating using formal methods & benchmarks» Project scheduling using Gantt & Pert charts» Monitoring budget vs. actual» Time tracking per task/resource» Progressive, periodical project reporting» Allows early warning on task slippage» Enables delivery on-time & within budget



JAD RAD QASystem

isDelivered

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