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Encyclopedia > Spiral model
Software development process
Activities and steps
Requirements | Architecture | Design | Implementation | Testing | Deployment
Models
Agile | Cleanroom | Iterative | RAD | RUP | Spiral | Waterfall | XP
Supporting disciplines
Configuration management | Documentation | Software quality assurance (SQA) | Project management | User experience design

The spiral model is a software development process combining elements of both design and prototyping-in-stages, in an effort to combine advantages of top-down and bottom-up concepts. Also known as the spiral lifecycle model, it is a systems development method (SDM) used in information technology (IT). This model of development combines the features of the prototyping model and the waterfall model. The spiral model is intended for large, expensive and complicated projects. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... In sytems and software engineering, requirements analysis encompasses those tasks that go into determining the requirements of a new or altered system, taking account of the possibly conflicting requirements of the various stakeholders, such as users. ... The software architecture of a program or computing system is the structure or structures of the system, which comprise software elements, the externally visible properties of those elements, and the relationships between them. ... Software design is the process that starts from a problem for which there is currently no acceptable (software) solution, and ends when such a solution has been created. ... “Programming” redirects here. ... Software testing is the process used to measure the quality of developed computer software. ... Software deployment is all of the activities that make a software system available for use. ... Agile software development is a conceptual framework for undertaking software engineering projects that embraces and promotes evolutionary change throughout the entire life-cycle of the project. ... The Cleanroom Software Engineering process is a software development process intended to produce software with a certifiable level of reliability. ... Iterative and Incremental development is a software development process developed in response to the weaknesses of the more traditional waterfall model. ... Rapid application development (RAD), is a software development process developed initially by James Martin in the 1980s. ... The Rational Unified Process (RUP) is an iterative software development process framework created by the Rational Software Corporation, a division of IBM since 2002. ... The waterfall model is a sequential software development model (a process for the creation of software) in which development is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing (validation), integration, and maintenance. ... Extreme Programming (or XP) is a software engineering methodology, the most prominent of several agile software development methodologies, prescribing a set of daily stakeholder practices that embody and encourage particular XP values (below). ... Software Configuration Management (SCM) is part of configuration management (CM). ... Software documentation or source code documentation is written text that accompanies computer software. ... Software testing is the process used to help identify the correctness, completeness, security and quality of developed computer software. ... Project Management is the discipline of organizing and managing resources (e. ... User experience design is a subset of the field of experience design which pertains to the creation of the architecture and interaction models which impact a users perception of a device or system. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... All Saints Chapel in the Cathedral Basilica of St. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with prototype. ... Top-down and bottom-up are strategies of information processing and knowledge ordering, mostly involving software, and by extension other humanistic and scientific system theories (see systemics). ... Information and communication technology spending in 2005 Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. ... The waterfall model is a sequential software development model (a process for the creation of software) in which development is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing (validation), integration, and maintenance. ...

Contents

History

The spiral model was defined by Barry Boehm in his 1988 article A Spiral Model of Software Development and Enhancement. This model was not the first model to discuss iterative development, but it was the first model to explain why the iteration matters. As originally envisioned, the iterations were typically 6 months to 2 years long. Each phase starts with a design goal and ends with the client (who may be internal) reviewing the progress thus far. Analysis and engineering efforts are applied at each phase of the project, with an eye toward the end goal of the project Barry W. Boehm is known for many contributions to software engineering. ... Iterative and Incremental development is a software development process, as opposed to more traditional waterfall model. ... An objective or goal is a personal or organizational desired end point in development. ... Consumers refers to individuals or households that purchase and use goods and services generated within the economy. ... Engineering is the discipline of acquiring and applying knowledge to design, analysis, and/or construction of works for practical purposes. ...


The Spiral Model

DEFINITION - The spiral model, also known as the spiral lifecycle model, is a systems development method (SDM) used in information technology (IT). This model of development combines the features of the prototyping model and the waterfall model. The spiral model is intended for large, expensive, and complicated projects. The waterfall model is a sequential software development model (a process for the creation of software) in which development is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing (validation), integration, and maintenance. ...


The steps in the spiral model can be generalized as follows:

  1. The new system requirements are defined in as much detail as possible. This usually involves interviewing a number of users representing all the external or internal users and other aspects of the existing system.
  2. A preliminary design is created for the new system.
  3. A first prototype of the new system is constructed from the preliminary design. This is usually a scaled-down system, and represents an approximation of the characteristics of the final product.
  4. A second prototype is evolved by a fourfold procedure: (1) evaluating the first prototype in terms of its strengths, weaknesses, and risks; (2) defining the requirements of the second prototype; (3) planning and designing the second prototype; (4) constructing and testing the second prototype.
  5. At the customer's option, the entire project can be aborted if the risk is deemed too great. Risk factors might involve development cost overruns, operating-cost miscalculation, or any other factor that could, in the customer's judgment, result in a less-than-satisfactory final product.
  6. The existing prototype is evaluated in the same manner as was the previous prototype, and, if necessary, another prototype is developed from it according to the fourfold procedure outlined above.
  7. The preceding steps are iterated until the customer is satisfied that the refined prototype represents the final product desired.
  8. The final system is constructed, based on the refined prototype.
  9. The final system is thoroughly evaluated and tested. Routine maintenance is carried out on a continuing basis to prevent large-scale failures and to minimize downtime.

Almost all computer software requires some features to be present on a computer system before it can be used with the computer. ... For other uses, see Prototype (disambiguation). ...

Applications

For a typical shrink-wrap application, the spiral model might mean that you have a rough-cut of user elements (without the polished / pretty graphics) as an operable application, add features in phases, and, at some point, add the final graphics. Shrinkwrap is a material made up of polymer plastic, usually PVC with a mix of polyesters. ... “Graphic” redirects here. ...


The spiral model is used most often in large projects. For smaller projects, the concept of agile software development is becoming a viable alternative. The US military has adopted the spiral model for its Future Combat Systems program. Agile software development is a conceptual framework for undertaking software engineering projects that embraces and promotes evolutionary change throughout the entire life-cycle of the project. ... The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... Future Combat Systems (FCS) is the core building block of the US Army’s Future Force. ...


Advantages

  • Estimates (i.e. budget, schedule, etc.) get more realistic as work progresses, because important issues are discovered earlier.
  • It is more able to cope with the (nearly inevitable) changes that software development generally entails.
  • Software engineers (who can get restless with protracted design processes) can get their hands in and start working on a project earlier.

See also

Barry W. Boehm is known for many contributions to software engineering. ... Software engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software. ... This list complements the software engineering article, giving more details and examples. ... The waterfall model is a sequential software development model (a process for the creation of software) in which development is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing (validation), integration, and maintenance. ... In computing, the Chaos model is a structure of software development that extends the spiral model and waterfall model. ... In software engineering, Model-Based Architecting and Software Engineering (MBASE) is a software development process developed by Barry Boehm and Dan Port in the late 1990s. ... The V-model is a software development model which can be presumed to be the extension of the waterfall model. ...

External links

  • A Spiral Model of Software Development and Enhancement - Barry Boehm's original article
  • A graphical representation

  Results from FactBites:
 
Spiral model - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (350 words)
The spiral model is a software development process combining elements of both design and prototyping-in-stages, in an effort to combine advantages of top-down and bottom-up concepts.
This model was not the first model to discuss iterative development, but it was the first model to explain why the iteration matters.
For a typical shrink-wrap application, the spiral model might mean that you have a rough-cut of user elements (without the polished / pretty graphics) as an operable application, add features in phases, and, at some point, add the final graphics.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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