System Development Life Cycle Research Paper
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply your research skills, analysis, and critical thinking skills to compare and contrast two different system development life cycle (SDLC) models. This will provide you an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of this important IT governance and management tool. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcome:
• Identify, define, and explain the concepts of information technology governance and management.
Assignment
You will conduct some research to learn about the Waterfall Model of SDLC and another model of your choosing. You will then describe both models and compare and contrast them. Select one of the SDLC models listed below:
• Spiral Model
• Agile (Extreme Programming) Model
• Evolutionary Prototyping Model
• Iterative and Incremental Model
Research and write a paper that describes the Waterfall Model and your chosen model. Your descriptions should include each model's purpose and structure (or characteristics) along with its strengths and weaknesses. It should describe the types of system development efforts for which it is most appropriate. Then, compare and contrast your selected model with the Waterfall Model, covering the criteria shown in Section IV below.
Finally, you will document the conclusions you reached from your research, which may include such things as which model is "better," when each model should be used, whether one or the other should not be used, or whether it makes any difference which one is used. The conclusions are your own and will be assessed according to how well you defend them and how convincing your arguments are.
Your paper should be structured as follows:
I. Introduction
II. Waterfall Model (description, purpose, structure/characteristics, strengths and weaknesses)
III. Chosen Model (description, purpose, structure/characteristics, strengths and weaknesses)
IV. Comparison of the Two Models. Using the table below, choose which model is better for each of the criteria listed and explain why it is the better choice - enter your answer in the table column under the appropriate model and leave the corresponding cell for the other model blank.
| Criterion |
Waterfall Model |
Other Model (insert name) |
| Ease of use |
Applicability for complex
projects |
Applicability to projects of
all sizes |
Encourages/allows customer
involvement |
Interfaces with other
systems or development
projects |
V. Conclusion (conclusions you drew from your research and analysis, including the table above on the two models).
Your paper will be graded on both the accuracy and completeness of your descriptions; it needs to clearly and completely define each model and its strengths and weaknesses. The comparisons will be graded based on the extent to which they are supported by facts and
are drawn from the descriptions.
The conclusions should be well justified, and drawn from the rest of the paper. Illustrations will enhance your paper if they contribute to an understanding of the model.
Your paper should be 3-5 pages in length (not counting any cover sheet or reference pages). The use of at least three external scholarly resources (other than class materials) is required.