Software Processes

Overview

Discussion of project status; Discussion of Software Processes

Preparation and Readings

• The Software Crisis [3 mins] and some evidence of it [2 mins]. – two short videos from Georgia Tech via Udacity about the software crisis that motivated the development of software processes and launched software engineering as a field.
• Software Process Models [3000 words] – high level overview of a variety of the most important development processes by Thomas Alspaugh.
• Some videos with more information about some of the agile methods:
  • What is Agile? [12 mins] – short introduction agile by Mark Shead.
  • An introduction to scrum [15 mins], its main processes [9 mins] and its key values [6 mins]: – by Sally Elatta, president of Agile Transformation.
  • Introduction to Test-Driven Development (TDD) [4 mins] – short explanation of what TDD is as the introduction to a full course by Simon Allardice at lynda.com.
• Post questions from the above materials for class discussion to the Moodle forum. Please also feel free to comment on or respond to others’ questions as appropriate.

Supplemental Readings

• Some Wikipedia entries on key software development processes:
  • Waterfall Model
  • Spiral Model
  • Agile Methods
  • Test-Driven Development
  • Scrum
• The Agile Manifesto
• Embracing Agile – Article overviewing Agile and its current state.
• Jim Coplien and Bob Martin Debate TDD – good discussion of what TDD is/isn’t and what its role is/isn’t.

Homework

• Reading and preparation for next discussion session
• Project activities