Prototyping
The evolutionary prototyping methodology consists of systems
analysis, system design and the implementation of a prototype.
The stages are then repeated with the prototype being modified
accordingly until the final system is generated. The throwaway
prototyping methodology involves the development of a prototype
to determine user requirements. After they have been determined,
the prototype is discarded. The advantages of prototyping
are:
- The users have a basic system very early in the development,
which reassures the users that the system is being developed
prevents dissatisfaction that could occur while waiting
for the project to be finished.
- The users are more likely to learn the system, as they
have been exposed to it from the start of the development
process.
- The iterative design process means that evaluation is
more effective and problems in design are likely to be fixed.
The disadvantages however of prototyping are:
- The fast-paced development of the system would prove to
be difficult when attempting a systematic design of the
system. Many initial design decisions become poor ones and
would increase the possibility that fundamental issues and
problems are not recognised until well into the development
process.
- Documentation may be lacking, as the developers are focussing
on production of the prototypes.
The correct choice for this project
The methodologies described above are merely a few of the
many different methodologies used in system design and analysis.
The evolutionary prototyping methodology was chosen to design
the system. This is because, in addition to its advantages
listed above, it is particularly well suited for small projects
and interface design.
Furthermore, many of the methodologies above are designed
for teams. It is believed that the prototyping methodology,
involving continuous building on previous designs would be
the most appropriate methodology for an individual designer.
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