diff --git a/content/background.tex b/content/background.tex index c01e0fe..88c01e3 100644 --- a/content/background.tex +++ b/content/background.tex @@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ The techniques of the \ridm replace the implementation and testing phase of the This chapter will introduce the basics of \ac{se} and the waterfall model, and analyse what the \ridm provides. \section{Systems Engineering} +\label{sec:SE} \begin{marginfigure} \centering \includegraphics[width=2.9cm]{graphics/waterfall.pdf} diff --git a/content/case_evaluation.tex b/content/case_evaluation.tex index 48e700d..7804ce3 100644 --- a/content/case_evaluation.tex +++ b/content/case_evaluation.tex @@ -1,3 +1,42 @@ %&tex -\chapter{case evaluation} -\label{case_evaluation} +\chapter{Case Evaluation} +\label{chap:case_evaluation} + +\section{Preparation Phase} +\subsection{One-man development team} +The case study was performed by me, as a single developer. +Against all expectations, this one-man development team made the preparation phase more difficult instead of easier. +The goal of the problem description and the specifications step is to get the stakeholders on the same line \autocite{shafaat_exploring_2015}. +This involves creating agreed-upon requirements for the system, but with only one stakeholder, this agreement is implicit. +Moreover, it undermines the incentive of the problem description and specifications step. +Part of this is that there is no penalty for future reviews of the specifications, as I already agreed. + +Furthermore, specific details and decisions were often made subconsciously, while I was commuting, waiting in line, or even showering. +Making structured documentation of these decisions at a later point in time without missing any of them was impossible. +The social interaction within a design team stimulates this documenting process as it improves the recall and interpretation of information. +It also improves the judgement and selection between design alternatives \autocite{lamb_221_2008}. + +\subsection{Information Flow} +%% Aanknopen op het vorige verhaal? +Although team members improve the information flow within a design team, it does not guarantee that all information is available. +Throughout the case study, more and more information becomes available. +During the initial design, new insight was gained that would have been useful during the problem description and the specifications step. +And while making the tests, it became clear that the specifications were incomplete. +It is possible to review the specifications step, but the succeeding steps have to be redone as well. +During the case study, I decided to continue with the design due to the scope of the research, namely the development design cycle was. + +Dealing with these design changes is a known weakness of the waterfall model. +Many publications give credit to \textcite{royce_managing_1970}, for the concept of the waterfall model. +Where they refer to the simple 5 to 8 step design concept, similar to the one in \autoref{sec:SE}. +What these publications fail to address is that \textcite{royce_managing_1970} says: "I believe in this concept, but the implementation described above is risky and invites failure." +Followed by multiple steps of improving the waterfall model. +Royce adds a complete design step, loads of intermittent testing and documentation, and a literal instruction "Do it twice". +With "Do it twice", he adds an extra 6 steps to develop a prototype parallel to the simple waterfall model, with the goal to spot every unforeseen requirement prior to any actual development. + +Interestingly, the mentioned problems that \textcite{royce_managing_1970} is providing a solution for, are similar to the difficulties in this case study. +Studies and publications about the waterfall model would have been far more relevant if the authors included Royce's improvements. +Especially as Royce explains that in his experience, the method without his improvements has never worked and that recovery costs far exceeded the added cost of the proposed improvements. +I expect that these improvements would have had a significant impact on the design process. + + +