Information Systems Software Development

Question 1: Discuss rapid application development. Then, discuss outsourcing.

Answer 1: Rapid application development, or RAD, is a software development method in which a computer handles many of the responsibilities and functions associated with designing systems. RAD uses a software tool known as CASE, or Computer-Assisted Software Engineering, which is capable of diagramming, analyzing information, storing documents, generating documents, and writing code. In RAD, the development team engages in very little planning and, instead, goes to rapid prototyping. Any planning is integrated with writing the software—this approach decreased the length of time needed to design the system and facilitates any changes that may need to be made. Outsourcing (in the context of software development) occurs when an organization hires an external party to design and create a system. Organizations outsource for a variety of reason: cheaper cost, lack of skilled labor such as an expert IT department, etc.

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Question 2: Discuss object-oriented analysis and design.

Answer 2: Object-oriented analysis and design, or OOAD, is a software development method that relies on object-modeling. The software is designed using models of interacting objects, each of which represent a certain aspect of the system. An object has a unique type, data elements, and behaviors. The development team analyzes these objects in both their run-time deployment, and static and interacting states. Object-oriented analysis and object-oriented design describe two unique processes. The former uses object-modeling to determine the system’s functional requirements, which are the tasks that a system is supposed to perform. The latter uses object-modeling to determine the system’s specifications, which are the methods the software will use to carry out its functions.

Question 3: Identify the following system development tools: Gantt chart, and program evaluation and review techniques.

Answer 3: A Gantt chart illustrates the time requirements and tracking for every step in the systems development process. Each step is allocated a certain amount of time for completion. In most cases, each step is further divided into many different unique tasks (possibly hundreds), and each process will have a Gantt chart. A program evaluation and review techniques, or PERT, chart also shows time allocation and tracking. However, it provides a more complex illustration by showing every task and their dependence on each other. Each task is represented by a node, and the nodes are connected to each other in a network. Certain tasks cannot be started until the prior task has been completed.

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