There are two main different approaches which are used: Rational
Unified Process (RUP) and Agile one. Each one has its pros and cons.
RUP
It provides high predictability and quality. The product developed
with such process is comprehensively documented and thoroughly
tested. However this requires significant efforts to be spent on each
stage and as a result it takes a significant time and money.
The following plan describes standard cooperation approach by RUP.
Pre-Inception
- Activities: Business and/or Technical Problem Studying
- Deliverable Artifacts: Estimate for Inception
- Result: Agreement on Inception Phase
Inception
- Activities: Deep Problem Researching, Gathering
Requirements, Formation of Possible Solutions
- Deliverable Artifacts: Vision, SRS (draft), Risk List
- Result: Agreement on Elaboration Phase
Elaboration
- Activities: System Design and Prototyping
- Deliverable Artifacts: SRS, SAD, SDP, Risk Mgmt Plan, Test
Plan, Prototype(s)
- Result: Agreement on Construction
Construction
(it usually consists of several iterations, duration of which depends
on task complexity).
- Activities: Low-level Design, Development and Testing
- Deliverable Artifacts: Source Code, Test scripts and
results, Binary Code and Installation Package, Documentation, other
- Result: Once the final product is delivered to Client, we
take care of its maintenance and support
Agile
On the other hand Agile provides flexibility and high velocity of the
development. The initial release sometimes could be delivered in a
couple of weeks and that allows the Client to start using that (e.g.
to run marketing researches) on very early stage and adopt plans
easily.
