UNIT-2

PROCESS MODELS
A generic process model
• A process was defined as a collection of work activities, actions, and
tasks that are performed when some work product is to be created.
• Each of these activities, actions, and tasks reside within a framework
or model that defines their relationship with the process and with one
another.
• The software process is represented schematically in Figure 2.1.
Referring to the figure, each framework activity is populated by a set
of software engineering actions.
• Each software engineering action is defined by a task set that
identifies the work tasks that are to be completed, the work products
that will be produced, the quality assurance points that will be
required, and the milestones that will be used to indicate progress.
Cont..
PROCESS FLOW
➢ A linear process flow executes each of the five framework activities
in sequence, beginning with communication and culminating with
deployment.
➢ An iterative process flow repeats one or more of the activities before
proceeding to the next.
➢ An evolutionary process flow executes the activities in a “circular”
manner.
➢ A parallel process flow executes one or more activities in parallel
with other activities
IDENTIFYING A TASK SET
• A task set defines the actual work to be done to accomplish the
objectives of a software
• engineering action.
• ➢ A list of the task to be accomplished
• ➢ A list of the work products to be produced
• ➢ A list of the quality assurance filters to be applied
 Process Pattern

A process pattern describes a process-related problem that is encountered

during software engineering work, identifies the environment in which the
problem has been encountered, and suggests one or more proven solutions to
the problem.
Process pattern types-
➢ Stage patterns — defines a problem associated with a framework activity for
the process.
➢ Task patterns — defines a problem associated with a software engineering
action or work
task and relevant to successful software engineering practice
➢ Phase patterns — define the sequence of framework activities that occur
with the
process, even when the overall flow of activities is iterative in nature.
PROCESS ASSESMENT AND
IMPROVEMENT
• A number of different approaches to software process assessment
and improvement have been proposed over the past few decades:
i. Standard CMMI Assessment Method for Process Improvement
(SCAMPI)
ii. CMM-Based Appraisal for Internal Process Improvement (CBA IPI)
iii. SPICE—The SPICE (ISO/IEC15504)
iv. ISO 9001:2000 for Software
PRESCRIPTIVE PROCESS MODELS
• 1) The Waterfall Model
• 2) Incremental Process Models
• 3) Evolutionary Process Models
• 4) Concurrent Models
The Waterfall Model
Cont…
Advantages of waterfall model-
• ➢ This model works for small projects because the requirements are
understood very well.
• ➢ The waterfall model is simple and easy to understand, implement,
and use.
• ➢ All the requirements are known at the beginning of the project,
hence it is easy to manage.
Cont..
Disadvantages of the waterfall model
• ➢ The problems with this model are uncovered, until the software
testing.
• ➢ The amount of risk is high.
• ➢ This model is not good for complex and object oriented projects.
Incremental Process Models
Advantages of incremental model

• This model is flexible because the cost of development is low and

initial product delivery is faster.
• It is easier to test and debug during the smaller iteration.
• The working software generates quickly and early during the
software life cycle.
• The customers can respond to its functionalities after every
increment.
Disadvantages of the incremental model

• The cost of the final product may cross the cost estimated initially.
• This model requires a very clear and complete planning.
• The planning of design is required before the whole system is broken
into small increments.
• The demands of customer for the additional functionalities after
every increment causes problem during the system architecture.
Evolutionary Process Models
• Evolutionary models are iterative type models. They allow to develop
more complete versions of the software.
Following are the evolutionary process models.
1. The prototyping model
2. The spiral model
3. Concurrent development model
The Prototyping model

• Prototype is defined as first or preliminary form using which other

forms are copied or derived.
• Prototype model is a set of general objectives for software.
• It does not identify the requirements like detailed input, output.
• It is software working model of limited functionality.
• In this model, working programs are quickly produced.
Cont..
Cont…
The different phases of Prototyping model are:
1. Communication
In this phase, developer and customer meet and discuss the overall
objectives of the software.
2. Quick design
• Quick design is implemented when requirements are known.
• It includes only the important aspects like input and output format of
the software.
• It focuses on those aspects which are visible to the user rather than
the detailed plan.
• It helps to construct a prototype.
Cont..
3. Modeling quick design
• This phase gives the clear idea about the development of software
because the software is now built.
• It allows the developer to better understand the exact requirements.
4. Construction of prototype
• The prototype is evaluated by the customer itself.
5. Deployment, delivery, feedback
• If the user is not satisfied with current prototype then it refines
according to the requirements of the user.
Cont..
The process of refining the prototype is repeated until all the requirements
of users are met.
• When the users are satisfied with the developed prototype then the
system is developed on the basis of final prototype.
Advantages of Prototyping Model
• Prototype model need not know the detailed input, output, processes,
adaptability of operating system and full machine interaction.
• In the development process of this model users are actively involved.
• The development process is the best platform to understand the system
by the user.
• Errors are detected much earlier.
• Gives quick user feedback for better solutions.
• It identifies the missing functionality easily. It also identifies the confusing
or difficult functions.
Cont..
Disadvantages of Prototyping Model:
• The client involvement is more and it is not always considered by the
developer.
• It is a slow process because it takes more time for development.
• Many changes can disturb the rhythm of the development team.
• It is a thrown away prototype when the users are confused with it.
The Spiral model
Spiral model is a risk driven process model.
• It is used for generating the software projects.
• In spiral model, an alternate solution is provided if the risk is found in
the risk analysis, then alternate
solutions are suggested and implemented.
• It is a combination of prototype and sequential model or waterfall
model.
• In one iteration all activities are done, for large project's the output is
small.
Cont…
• The framework activities of the spiral model are as shown in the
following figure.
Cont..
Advantages of Spiral Model
• It reduces high amount of risk.
• It is good for large and critical projects.
• It gives strong approval and documentation control.
• In spiral model, the software is produced early in the life cycle
process.
Disadvantages of Spiral Model
• It can be costly to develop a software model.
• It is not used for small projects.
The concurrent development model
The concurrent development model is called as concurrent model.
• The communication activity has completed in the first iteration and
exits in the awaiting changes state.
• The modeling activity completed its initial communication and then go
to the underdevelopment state.
• If the customer specifies the change in the requirement, then the
modeling activity moves from the under
development state into the awaiting change state.
• The concurrent process model activities moving from one state to
another state.
Cont..
Cont…
• Advantages of the concurrent development model
• This model is applicable to all types of software development
processes.
• It is easy for understanding and use.
• It gives immediate feedback from testing.
• It provides an accurate picture of the current state of a project.
Cont..
• Disadvantages of the concurrent development model
• It needs better communication between the team members. This may
not be achieved all the time.
• It requires to remember the status of the different activities.