Application development for the digital firm

Rapid application development  is an iterative development process and prototype is designed to answer a given questions about the design. It is an incremental software development process model that focuses extremely short development cycle. TAD as name implies is a software design process model that brings together (or gather) in one physical location. Agile development is a set of software development methods in which requirements and solution evolve through collaboration between self organizing, cross functional team. In component based development, construction and deployment of software system that have been assembled from components. Prototyping model involves a user and developer. Here, the developer takes interview with the user and design an initial system.

Summary

Rapid application development  is an iterative development process and prototype is designed to answer a given questions about the design. It is an incremental software development process model that focuses extremely short development cycle. TAD as name implies is a software design process model that brings together (or gather) in one physical location. Agile development is a set of software development methods in which requirements and solution evolve through collaboration between self organizing, cross functional team. In component based development, construction and deployment of software system that have been assembled from components. Prototyping model involves a user and developer. Here, the developer takes interview with the user and design an initial system.

Things to Remember

  • Prototyping model involves a user and developer. Here, the developer takes interview with the user and design an initial system.
  • The process of producing a prototype is called prototyping.
  • Uses 4GL to allow end users to develop system with little or no help from technical specialist. 4GL are less procedural than conventional language.
  • Application software packages is the strategy in developing information system, is a set of prewritten, pre-coded application software programs that are commercially available for sale or lease.
  • Outsourcing means using an external vendor to build or operate firm’s information system. The system may be custom built or may use a software packages.
  • Prototyping model involves a user and developer. Here, the developer takes interview with the user and design an initial system.
  • The process of producing a prototype is called prototyping.
  • Uses 4GL to allow end users to develop system with little or no help from technical specialist. 4GL are less procedural than conventional language.
  • Application software packages is the strategy in developing information system, is a set of prewritten, pre-coded application software programs that are commercially available for sale or lease.
  • Outsourcing means using an external vendor to build or operate firm’s information system. The system may be custom built or may use a software packages.

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Application development for the digital firm

Application development for the digital firm

Application development for the digital firm

  1. Rapid application development (RAD): It is an iterative development process and prototype is designed to answer a given questions about the design. It is an incremental software development process model that focuses extremely short development cycle. It utilizes techniques such as:
  • Visual programming and other tools for building GUI
  • Iterative prototyping of key system element
  • Close team work among end user and IS specialist

Phases in RAD model

  1. Requirement planning: In this phase, tasks of the requirement planning is done. Users, managers, and IT staff agree upon business needs project scope and systems requirements. Obtain approval to continue.
  2. Users description: This phase produces a detailed system area model, an outline system design, and an implementation plan. End users participating in Joint Application Design (JAD) workshops perform the analysis and design activities associated with this stage.
  3. Construction phase: The design of the proposed system, initially described in the user description phase, is completed in the construction phase, and application software to implement that design is developed and tested. Activities to prepare for the transition of the system to production status are also performed.
  4. Cut over: The system developed in the construction phase becomes operational in the cut over phase. At this moment, the developers get ready with existing data for the new system and instruct (coach) users to operate the new application easily. They also provide support to resolve any difficulties (or problems) that arise instantaneously after the application becomes operational.

Advantages

  • Reduced cycle time for achieving customer satisfaction.
  • It increases productivity of the product
  • Feedback from the user is available at the initial stage.

Disadvantages

  • High skilled and specialist are required. So, the production is costly.
  • High occurrence of technical risk

  1. Trint application development (TAD): TAD as name implies is a software design process model that brings together (or gather) in one physical location. Representatives from the users, developers, analyst and designer. The basis idea of this model is to produce an acceptable design. This model is used to accelerate generation of information requirement and to develop initial system design.
  2. Agile development: It is a set of software development methods in which requirements and solution evolve through collaboration between self organizing, cross functional team. It focuses on rapid delivery of working software by breaking large project into several small projects. It focuses on face to face communication over written documents, allows collaboration and faster decision making.
  3. Component based development: Construction and deployment of software system that have been assembled from components. Group of objects that provides software for common functions and can be combined to create large scale business application. It is branch of software engineering that focuses the separation of concern (separating of computer program into different section in respect of the wide ranging functionality available throughout given software system). It is a reuse approach for defining, implementing and composing loosely coupled independent components into system.

Alternative system building methods

Traditional system lifecycle:

  • Oldest method for building information system
  • Phased approach, device development into formal stage i.e. follow ‘waterfall’ approach, task in one stage finish another stage
  • Maintain formal division of level between end-user and IS specialist
  • Focuses formal specification and paper work
  • Costly, time-consuming and less flexible

Prototyping: Prototyping model involves a user and developer. Here, the developer takes interview with the user and design an initial system. The user works with that prototype and suggest the changes. This process repeats till the user is satisfied. The process of building a such paper based model, refining it and trying again is known as prototyping model. It is a preliminary version of IS for demonstration and evaluation. The process of producing a prototype is called prototyping.

Steps in prototyping model

  • Identify user requirement
  • Develop initial prototype
  • Use prototype
  • Revise and enhance prototype/ implementation

Advantages

  • A partial product is built in the initial phase. Therefore, users get chance to see the product early in the lifecycle and thus can give necessary feedback.
  • New requirement can be easily added
  • User can play more active role in system development
  • Implementation is easier because users what to expect
  • Flexible

Disadvantages

  • If not managed properly, the iterative process of prototype demonstration and refinements can continue for long duration
  • If end-user is not satisfied with initial prototype, s/he may loose interest in the project

End user development: Uses 4GL to allow end users to develop system with little or no help from technical specialist. 4GL are less procedural than conventional language. 4GL focuses on what user wants rather than procedures. Example: Pc software tools, query languages, report generator, graphics languages and application generator.

Advantages

  • More rapid completion of projects
  • High level of user involvement and satisfaction

Disadvantages

  • Not designed for processing intensive application
  • Inadequate management and control, testing and documentation
  • Loss of control over data

  1. Application software packages: It is the strategy in developing information system, is a set of prewritten, pre-coded application software programs that are commercially available for sale or lease. There are application software packages available for simple task and for complex mainframe system. The use of software packages along with vendors, support staffs and documentation reduces system design cost, maintenance and support cost. Some packages software developers provide some features for customization which allows a package to be modified to meet unique requirements without destroying the integrity of the package software.

The key criteria in evaluating application software packages are: Function, flexibility, user-friendliness, software resources, hardware resources, database requirements, installation and maintenance effort, documentation, cost, etc.

The package evaluation process is based on Request for proposal (RFP), which is a detailed list of questions submitted to vendors of package software.

Outsourcing: Outsourcing means using an external vendor to build or operate firm’s information system. The system may be custom built or may use a software packages.

Types of outsourcing

  1. Cloud and Saas provider: Subscribing companies use software and hardware provided by vendors.
  2. External vendor: Hired to design, create software
  3. Domestic outsourcing: Driven by firm’s need for additional skills, resources.
  4. Off-shore outsourcing: Driven by cost saving

Advantages:

  • Allow organizational flexibility in IT needs

Disadvantages:

  • Hidden cost: Identifying and selecting vendors
  • Over dependence to external vendors

Reference

Laudon, Laudon, "Management Information Systems Managing the Digital Firm", twelfth edition

Lesson

Building Information Systems

Subject

Management Information System

Grade

Bachelor of Business Administration

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