Traditional Project Management Essay Example

for the next. The accompanying graphic shows an example application of this model to major defense systems developments. However, it assumes that system requirements have already been defined and reviewed extensively, which is crucial for project success. The graphic demonstrates the key principles of an effective methodology, where work is done in stages, content reviews are conducted between stages, and reviews serve as quality gates and decision points for continuing.

Despite being criticized as slow and cumbersome, the waterfall methodology remains a valuable tool for software development. Its ordered sequence of development steps promotes thorough documentation and design reviews, ensuring software quality, reliability, and maintainability. Although simplistic and best suited for routine, mechanical-oriented software, the waterfall methodology embodies sound principles of life cycle development (source: www.hyperthot.com).

This is the point where automation of tasks performed by clerks and accountants is straightforward; However, when it comes to building advanced systems for knowledgeable workers, such as customer service personnel or corporate executives, it falls short. Another drawback is its assumption that users' sole function is to define requirements that can be entirely outlined beforehand. However, the reality is that requirements evolve and develop both during and after the process, necessitating significant feedback and iterative consultation (www).

Computerworld.com explains that the spiral methodology is the next step after the waterfall method. It revolves around incremental and iterative development, allowing for small beginnings and learning from experimentation. This evolution from the waterfall method focuses on multiple deliveries and handoffs, making it the ultimate progression from the previous approach.

The relationship of tasks with rapid prototyping, increased parallelism, and concurrency in design and build activities is reflected by the spiral methodology. It is

important to plan the spiral method systematically and identify tasks and deliverables for every step in the spiral.