Kudler Fine Foods Frequent Shopper Program Essay Example

into distinct stages, providing better control. Both the vendor and client can track progress through clear milestones. By prioritizing requirements and design before coding, time and effort are minimized (Melonfire, 2006).

Furthermore, it reduces the likelihood of schedule delays or failure to meet client expectations (Melonfire, 2006). However, despite its apparent benefits, the waterfall model has faced criticism recently (Melonfire, 2006). The main concern is that clients often do not know their exact requirements from the start. Instead, their needs become apparent through ongoing communication throughout the project.

The waterfall model, as stated by Melonfire (2006), is seen as impractical and unsuitable for the unpredictable real world due to its focus on obtaining and creating open requirements. Furthermore, accurately estimating time and costs can be extremely difficult because of the ambiguous nature of customer requests. Consequently, this model is only advised for projects that are relatively secure and where client requirements can be clearly established in the early stages.

While the model has critics, it still works for certain projects and can provide significant cost and time savings. Whether Smith Systems Consulting should use it or not largely depends on how well the company understands the clients' needs and how much uncertainty is anticipated as the project advances (Melonfire, 2006). It is worth mentioning that for more unpredictable projects, there are additional frameworks available for project management, such as the spiral model (Melonfire, 2006).

The Spiral Life Cycle Model is a software development model that is a combination of the waterfall model and the prototype model. It is primarily used in high-risk projects and follows a spiral arrangement for its

activities. This model can be customized based on the project's difficulty and is highly adaptable. It also ensures transparency and efficiency by involving evaluation from concerned individuals at each stage. Unlike other models, it includes risk management, making it more attractive.

Furthermore, alterations can be easily implemented by the project manager later in the project's life cycle. The spiral development method is recommended for high-risk projects with inadequate business needs, but it also has drawbacks. One disadvantage is the high cost associated with this model ("Spiral," n. d.). Meeting budgetary and preparation requirements becomes challenging due to the need for specific expertise in assessing and examining the project when following this development process ("Spiral," n. d.). Project management becomes more complex due to extensive documentation required for certain stages of the spiral development method. Another approach in software development is the agile development method ("agile," 2009). Understanding its advantages and disadvantages is crucial since it is commonly used, especially if it is suitable for your project deliverables ("agile," 2009). The agile development methodology relies on a flexible team that can readily adapt to changing requirements.

The team does not have to spend time and effort discovering that when they distributed the product, the client's condition changed. Face to face contact and ongoing feedback from client spokesperson eliminate any room for speculation ("agile," 2009). Additionally, any documentation utilized in agile development aims at saving time. The final result is the efficient production of high-quality software in the shortest possible time, satisfying clients. The drawbacks of the agile development method include the required effort for certain deliverables in specific scenarios ("agile," 2009).

The lack

of emphasis on crucial planning and documentation within the development process is a major issue. Only senior programmers possess the necessary skills to make the required decisions ("agile," 2009). Hence, agile methodology is unsuitable for novice programmers, unless they have access to experienced resources ("agile," 2009). If managing a large project that involves multiple offshore teams and unchanging requirements, other software development methodologies would be more effective in delivering the necessary software development process ("agile," 2009).

Once Smith Systems Consulting evaluates these software development methodologies, they can determine the most suitable method for Kudler Fine Foods' frequent shopper program. Due to the program's small size, it is recommended that Smith Systems Consulting employ the agile development method. The close collaboration among teams in this method will enhance project performance and guarantee its success. Moreover, the agile method allows for customer input in the program.