Posts Tagged ‘Software Development Life Cycle’

Software development is always prone to bugs despite resorting to all plausible bug detection techniques. Software testing is a promising technique to ensure that the quality of software developed is intact and unharmed through elimination of bugs or defects that creep in. It is in fact the most significant stage in the software development life cycle, and is also a determinant of the quality of final output.

However, it has been observed that most organizations fall short of the required in-house resources such as technical know-how and expertise to carry out thorough software testing. Hence, they prefer to outsource software testing.

In one of the reports published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. economy bears heavy losses due to software errors incurring up to $59.5 billion annually. Hence, most U.S. software development companies choose offshore software testing since they are benefited manifold due to this business decision.

Let us take a tour of some of the key benefits of offshore software testing:

Error-free software: The offshore testing team makes use of run-on-the-mill testing tools, techniques and resources to deliver quality-tested software thereby lending the required dose of technical and process independence to the in-house staff of the outsourcing organization.

Complete focus on product development: After having outsourced testing assignment to the offshore testing team, the software development group can focus completely on core product development and its effective sales strategy. Hence, this would eventually lead to improved quality of the product developed thereby paving way for increased customer satisfaction & revenues.

Saves Time: Outsourcing testing services saves your valuable time in dual ways. On one hand, you get sufficient time to focus on your “core” business activities. While on the other hand, the offshore testing staff utilizes varied advanced testing tools & techniques to eliminate bugs/defects from the software thereby improving the quality of your product and producing the deliverables on time.

Cost effectiveness: It’s not a feasible option for a development company to purchase testing tools in dearth of required technical know-how. Also, maintaining an in-house testing team is a costly affair. The offshore software testing India alternatives offer testing services at quite affordable rates. Hence, outsourcing these services is a cost-effective business decision.

Time to market: A skilled testing company conducts software testing very fast and yields quick deliverables, which leads to early release of the product thereby giving ample scope and time to market the same.

Now that you know the multiple benefits of offshore software testing, it’s your turn to take the right step of outsourcing software testing and deliver quality-tested software for accomplishing ultimate customer satisfaction.

Adam George is a well known writer. He has written many articles on various topics including outsourcing, Presently writing on Software services, Software Development, QA Testing and other Software testing services.

Author: Adam George
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Software development means, creating software to fulfill the specific needs of the customers. Depending upon their requirements, the software outsourcing firms develop customized software solutions. The client requirement can be an open source software or program for personal use.

Software development is an extension of computer programming. In programming, programmers design and write, test and troubleshoot, and maintain the source code of the computer programs. The source code is written in programming language. Software development extends beyond programming and it includes research and development, modification for re-use, re-engineering, maintenance and any other activity, which creates desired software product.

The software outsourcing firm can follow a structured, engineering based approach or an incremental approach depending upon the requirements of the project. However, most software development methodologies adopted by the software development firms, adopt an approach which is a mix of below mentioned stages:

• Understanding and analyzing the specific needs/problems of the customer.
• Devising a strategic plan or design for the software-based solution.
• Implementation (coding) of the software.
• Test running of the software.
• Deployment.
• Maintenance and bug fixing (quality check)

These all stages are combined together to create a software development life cycle or SDLC. Depending upon the specific needs of the clients the software outsourcing firm creates and delivers a specific software solution. This involves development of software at above mentioned stages, in different orders. The development process may devote more or less to any particular stage depending upon the requirements of the project.

The development software firm can adopt a “Waterfall” (structured) or an extreme approach. The extreme approach lays more emphasis on coding and development of automated tests and spends less time on planning and documentation. A more structured approach like the Waterfall methodology analyzes the risks and develops a detailed plan before the beginning of the coding phase of the software development cycle. This prevents design changes and re-coding in later stages of project.

Depending upon the complexity of the software requirements of the customers, software outsourcing company can select and follow the methodologies available to them. Waterfall approach is the best option when the developer understands the requirement completely and it is possible to plan a solution well ahead of time. If however, the project appears to be a complex one and is prone to risks then the best option is to adopt an extreme approach, like an incremental methodology. It is a step-by-step process and minimizes the risks associated with such project. It is advisable to adopt extreme approach when a software problem does allow enough space for proper planning and development of the project. The present day software outsourcing company has at its disposal, different methodologies to develop software solutions for its clients. Waterfall, Prototyping, Incremental, Spiral and Rapid Application Development (RAD) are some of the widely used methodologies by the modern day software outsourcing firm.

Mr. Jim John is the Sr. SEO Expert in Tatvasoft. TatvaSoft is a leading software development company in India. The company focuses on custom application development for all the clients cost effectively. TatvaSoft delivers superior solutions pertaining to software development using advanced technologies such Asp.Net, C#, VB.Net, PHP, Silverlight, Flex and many others. Clients get comprehensive software development services with a round the clock uninterrupted support.

Author: Jim John
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

ABSTRACT

In the Information Technology (IT) industry, a number of both In-house and Offshore Software Projects have a tendency to get scrapped before their completion. To accommodate the ever changing business practices, software applications are designed to be more user-friendly. These flexible practices have been used as a reason for failure. A project that was canceled before its completion, or exceeds the original budget, or takes more than the estimated completion time, or couldn’t achieve the desired output as planned is considered to be a “FAILED PROJECT”. In the IT industry, most of the failures are covered-up, and/or ignored due to various reasons. This behavior leads to the same mistakes again and again. Organizations seldom spend time to identify the key ingredients that can reduce the number of failed projects. Analysts who did Failure Analysis often refer to various Management Indicators. Very few Analysts considered the Nation’s economic situation in the process. Though it does not have a direct impact , it can be considered as a symptom for failure. Inflation Rate, the key economic indicator plays a crucial role in Software Project Management. Inflation Rate effects a professional’s motivation to continue the same Project without a hike in salary. Inclusion of a new hire or loss of a skilled professional in the middle of the Project, hinders the completion time. Inflation Rate also impacts the Project cost. To minimize this impact, Project Managers implement cost reduction techniques without considering the long term consequences. The basic strategic deficiencies in mission and/or exit strategy are ignored.

INTRODUCTION:

It is presumed that most software projects fail due to lack of skilled professionals, incomplete requirements, high expectations, improper preliminary analysis, ever changing requirements. Projects with more than 5 years of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) are more prone to fail in any organization. Project requirements that change to cope up with the rapid technological changes both in Hardware & Software, may also be a cause for the failures.

Although all Project Managers follow the standard Project Management techniques, every project is unique and requires a different approach for a successful completion. Every decision made by the Project Manager involves a risk. Most of the Modern Project Management techniques minimize the possibility of risk if not fully error-prone.

Anecdotal studies for project failures are cited by “The Standish Group” – in June 1995 during the “Project Leadership” Conference in Chicago. The Standish Group also revealed that 31.1% of projects will be canceled before they ever get completed and around 52.7% of projects will cost 189% of its original estimates[ 1]. For most of the projects failed, lack of user involvement plays a vital role. Lack of proper documentation before the beginning of the project development and targeting unrealistic deadlines follows. Even though most of the software projects are developed using the same staff and management principles, each project has unique features for its failure.

Table 1: Project Cost Overruns (Source: The Standish Group)

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Cost Overruns                                                % of Responses

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Under 20%                                                                 15.5

21 - 50%                                                                      31.5

51 - 100%                                                                   29.6

101 - 200%                                                                 10.2

201 - 400%                                                                  8.8

Over 401%                                                                 4.4

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Based on the 1995 IT Industry data, the Standish Group research showed that the average cost overrun is 178% for large companies, 182% for medium companies, and 214% for small companies. Also, the same study revealed that in big Organizations, only 9% of software projects were completed on-time and on-budget. Projects completed by larger American Companies have only 42% of the originally-proposed features and functions. The average time overrun is 222% of the original time estimate. For large companies, the average is 230%; for medium companies, the average is 202%; and for small companies, the average is 239%.

The same study revealed that annually, in United States, Organizations together spend more than $250 billion each year on IT application development of approximately 175,000 projects. The average cost of a development project for a large company is $2,322,000; for a medium, it is $1,331,000; and for a small one, it is $434,000. Many of these projects end up without achieving the goals. After spending around $3.3 billions, IRS halted its Internal systems upgrade in 1996 [2].

With over 25% of Software Projects not being successful in the current IT industry, different methodologies were used to identify the failure symptoms and admonitory steps were identified to follow at different levels in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Yet, the number of project failures keep increasing. The survey conducted by Spikes Cavell & Co -UK [3] during Spring 1998, revealed that 69% of IT Managers selected maintaining budget as a top success factor. The same survey also revealed that over one-third of the respondents had an opinion that a breakdown in communications is likely to lead to project failure.

2.0 INFLATION RATE ‘s IMPACT ON IT INDUSTRY:

A Nations economic performance is measured using Inflation Rate ie. how fast the overall price level of consumer goods increases. Uncertain economic situations, caused due to rise in inflation rate, tends to disturb not only the future plans of people with fixed income but also other nations that have trade contacts. These trade contacts have some annoying impact on jobs. Higher the inflation rate, slower the growth in exports [4].

INFLATION RATE Vs. WAGE RATE:

The first impact with rise in Inflation rate is the Wage Rate. With the hike in Inflation Rate, the cost of daily commodities increases. The real value of the money starts to diminish. Citizens find it difficult to buy the same quantity of the products without change in Income. If the consumption is autonomous, the only alternative is

to search for opportunities to earn more. Either a hike in income from the current employer or demand for better pay-check in the new job are the only avenues open under these circumstances. When the wage rates are increasing, businesses attempts to reduce their manpower.

2.1.1 Effects on Motivation:

Motivation can be defined as a force originated in the brain consciously or unconsciously that directs a person how to behave. Motivation in employees is directly visible by their productivity. Earlier studies proved that low-motivation in employees can preclude the quality of work. There is a high degree of inverse correlation between Inflation Rate and Motivation.

In 1959, Herzberg concluded SALARY as a hygiene factor rather than a motivational factor. The research conducted by Tutor [5], revealed that salary as a hygiene factor does not seem to be true in case of Elementary & Secondary School teachers [6]. The highest need on Maslow’s pyramid is psychological – thirst, sex & hunger belonging to this category. In a unstable economic situation, Income being the highest need for survival, may also belong to this category. When the Software Professional perceives a strong relationship between his effort and reward, Money can also be a motivator.

Frustration can be defined as a state of anguish that one experiences when the desired result is not attained within the desired time. As the time to find a Job with better Wage get prolonged, the frustrated Software Professional will be forced to continue the same job, which in turn reduces his ability. Psychologically, frustrated employees frequently become rogues in the work environment.

2.1.2 Disadvantages of loosing a trained professional:

The biggest detrimental factor in an Ongoing Project is loosing a skilled Software Professional. This scenario motivates other team members to search for an alternate job. Team members who are already in the process of changing the present job but are not yet successful, face the phobia of failure, thus leading to decrease in motivation. This rife phenomenon causes emotional trauma in IT Project Manager .

2.1.3 Disadvantages of hiring a new professional:

The common phenomenon while managing a project is to add more manpower when the completion time is found to be unattainable. Adding a new Software Professional, in the Project after it began is a tough job. Though logically this works, psychologically the result is reversed.

Brook’s [7] Law states that “Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later”. The new hire needs certain amount of time to learn about the project, get used to the new environment and to freely communicate with his or her new colleagues. For every new hire, approximately the same amount of time will be non-productive. This time spent for learning is always a overhead to the project time and cost. Hiring an experienced Software Professional costs more financially, thus increasing further the cost of project. IT Project Managers tend to use cost-reduction techniques to overcome the extra burden, to stay within the estimated budget.

3.0 INFLATION RATE Vs. PROJECT COSTS:

Rise in Inflation Rate increases the overall cost of the Project. This increase may be due to increase of salary to the team members to avoid them from being leaving the Project or hiring new professionals at a higher wage rate. To complete the Project within the specified Budget, IT Project Managers are compelled to implement cost reduction techniques.

Disadvantages of implementing Cost reduction techniques:

One of the classical mistake done by most Project Managers is to cram professionals into low-budget office space. Software Professionals in these office spaces are more inclined to noise hazards. Insufficient privacy in the workplace increases psychological stress. Any unwanted sound within the office space can be NOISE for a professional. Frequent rise in Heart beat for unpredictable noise can affect psychological functioning too. Inaudible noises diminishes the memory to perform mental arithmetic and makes it harder to concentrate. Building of Computer Algorithms and developing the source code are effected by these distracting noises.

Planning schedules are followed as long as there is no discrepancy between the planned work and work completed. Once a backlog builds up, most of the IT Project Managers concentrate to overcome the backlog and there by show less interest in the schedule.

For testing a Software Application, usually 40% of the Project time is allocated. A thorough testing identifies all undiscovered errors. The benefit of testing in this manner is that it authenticates that the Software is working as per the specifications laid by the end-users. A systematic testing procedure uncovers various types of errors in a minimum amount of time with a minimum amount of effort. When the Project is behind schedule, most of IT Project managers avoid full-fledged testing to reduce the testing time and in turn the cost. They prefer to test for interface errors & Data integrity errors only. This partially tested Software creates a chaos during the implementation process.

Aggressive schedules created by IT Project Manager leads to Job stress for a professional, which is defined as a particular stress of unpleasant nature called “Hurry Sickness” [8]. This causes the professional to hurry and do the job badly. A bad output further causes frustration of failure, that in turn causes more stress. This compounded stress give rise to temporary mental disturbances. It also results in spoiling of relationship with the Employer and sometimes the Software Professional’s family relationship.

Hurry Sickness in Project Managers often makes them impatient in meetings and view “hanging-out” by the sub-ordinates as waste of time and cannot get adjusted with people who are frequently late at work. Hurry Sickness is an epidemic which results in complete failure of project team work.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the impact of Inflation Rate is not noticeable directly, this is a catalyst for Software Project failure. Inflation Rate not only affects the Project budget, but also impacts the communication between team members, which is the prime cause for major Software Project failures.

REFERENCES:

1. The CHAOS Report, – Standish Group; [http://www.standishgroup.com/chaos.html]

2. Information Week, Page 160, Dec,14, 1998 edition

3. “The Bull Project Management Index” – Bull Information Systems – Spikes Cavel & Co – U.K

4. “Understanding US & GLOBAL ECONOMIC TRENDS” – A guide for the non-economists – Daniel Gaske (1996)

5. “The relationship between perceived need deficiencies and factors influencing teacher participation in Tennessee Career Ladder”- Doctoral Dissertation of Tutor, F.D

6. “Herzberg’s theory of motivation and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs” – Joseph E.Gawel , ERIC, Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation – http://ericae.net/digests/tm9701.htm

7. “Mythical Man-Month” – Fred Brooks – Addison-Wesley, 1975

8. “Effective stress management – Environmental & Job stresses” – Mind Tools Ltd.

This Article was originally presented at National Applied Business Research Conference in August 1999 at Denver, Colorado.

Author: Jaganadha Karra
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Software Development is a sequence of processes implemented to improve the business methodologies using high-end advanced technologies. Software Development is a part of software development life cycle where system analysis, design and coding are considered as the main component of software development. Now a days Software Development Delhi has emerged as a big hub for accessing information technology enabled services for many business and others. Every system is trying to be computerized with help of using software services. Hence old systems are replaced by new technology-enabled system because of many features and specializations of software.

Software Development is the development of rich software, which takes care of many tasks thus making manual task easier and less hectic. In case of using hundreds of people in the industry, if a computer system is used, it can solve out the task of all those with utmost accuracy and in least time. This is one of the most important characteristic due to which software development is undertaken by many industries to make their system more flexible. Due to this software industry is gaining popularity and booming and many new software are companies are coming up in the market to offer best services and products. Software development is also known as process of transforming user’s requirement into a software product. Now this product sorts out human tasks in less time with perfection.

If one says software development then it is known that India is one such hub from where most of the companies around the world outsource their task to India. This popularity to India is due to many reasons, which makes it exclusive hub for software services. They get quality work at best lowest prices compared to other countries of the world. In this way many companies are benefited as they get best services at cheapest prices. In this way they are able to save lot of revenues for their company. This helps Indian economy to grow along with their company to earn more profits as well.

One of the reasons due to which India is consider a unique hub for software services is due to English language. English is considered as most spoken and understood language in this world and a large part of Indian population speaks and understands English. So Indian companies are getting benefited as more projects to do. Indian software market is growing day by day due to highly skilled software professionals who are able to offer best services with their hard work and intelligence. Indian knowledge industry is so large with respect to information technology, which makes it a better sector to undertake software services. Indian government is also helping companies in expansion and providing other help to help them grow in every possible way. Many new cities are emerging as software services centers for offering various services to software vendors.

Abhay Mathur works to help all those who want information about the Software Development Services,web designing,multimedia services for Software and web regarding category. To know more about software development services, e-commerce services,website designing, multimedia development service Software Development Delhi visit: www.unisoft-technologies.com

Author: Abhay Mathur
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Software development life cycle (SDLC) is a process adopted and followed during the development of software. Also known as software life cycle and software process, there are quite a few stages for SDLC.

Requirements analysis

Being acquainted with the specific requirements of the desired software is the first important step. This requires skill and experience in software engineering so that the exact software is developed

Specification analysis

A software development process enters the specification stage once the deliverables are figured out. This is the stage when the software is properly described and written to understand. Specifications are most important for external interfaces that must remain stable.

Architectural analysis

Architecture refers to a conceptual representation of the software system. A well-defined architecture ensures that the software has all it needs to meet the requirements, and accommodate future requirements if any. The architecture step also addresses interfaces between the software system and other software products, as well as the underlying hardware or the host operating system.

Coding

The coding stage is a widely followed step in software development. Here the design is reduced to code for better understandability.

Testing

The coding stage is followed by the testing phase. This is the most important stage of any software development life cycle where extensive testing is done to ensure that coding done by different software developers work together in harmony.

An important part of software development is documentation. Many a times this step is overlooked, only to land up in problems whenever future maintenance and additions are a necessity. Meanwhile, many software projects are found to fail because of lack of training among end users. Ideally, training is an important part of the software development life cycle where end users have all their queries solved by the developers.

Earlier, the entire process of software development consisted only of a developer writing the code of software. However, today the scenario is quite big, complicated, and involves teams of architects, analysts, programmers, testers and users who work in tandem to create codes. This is the main reason why SDLC has become such important. In other words, without a well-defined development life cycle, software often have found to either fail, or lack performance.

Anirban Bhattacharya is a journalist in the field of offshore IT outsourcing as a whole and has written more than 250 articles for various websites. The ideas behind these articles have been drawn after performing comprehensive research on offshore IT outsourcing. To know more about offshore IT outsourcing and to have a look at other research based articles written by Anirban Bhattacharya please visit SynapseIndia offshore outsourcing services.

Author: Anirban Bhattacharya
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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