Methodology for Developing Interactive Communication Channel Web Service - Thesis Proposal Example

Introduction: Scrum is an example of an incremental and iterative agile software method, used forpurposes of managing and developing software applications, products and projects. The focus of scrum methodology is on its holistic and flexible product development strategy, where the designing team works as a group or unit for purposes of reaching a common objective/goal. This is as opposed to the sequential and traditional approaches which are always not flexible, and holistic (Christensen, 2010). Scrum makes it possible for the creation and enactment of self organizing teams, through encouraging co-location of team members. Scrum methodology also encourages effective verbal communication amongst the various team members of the designers of the project under consideration. One of the major principles of Scrum methodology is its recognition that customers can change the various needs and requirements of their project (Sharkie and Fisher, 2013). On this basis, Scrum has a provision for allowing designers to change the designer and requirement of the project at any stage of its development. On this basis, Scrum methodology uses an empirical approach in developing programs and software for the customer. That is accepting the changing needs and requirements of customers, and laying an emphasis on the teams ability to respond and deliver quickly on the various needs of customers. This method differs greatly with the waterfall methodology, because of its flexibility. Under the waterfall model, once a designer starts designing the project, there is no room for making changes in the project under consideration (Sharkie and Fisher, 2013). This is disadvantageous because customers might have changing requirements, making it impossible for these requirements to be factored in the development of their programs. On this basis, the reason of using Scrum as opposed to the waterfall model is because it allows the designer to make changes in the design of his or her projects (Shaikh, 2012). When using Scrum to develop the website under consideration, there is a need of identifying all the necessary information about home carers, and the requirements the website needs to have. This is under the consideration that these requirements might change (Shaikh, 2012). Evaluation of the Scrum Model: The scrum model has a variety of advantages. Laplante and Ovaska (2012) denote that the sprint process in scrum makes it possible for the development of a program that is good enough making it possible to be sold during its process of development. Laplante and Ovaska further denote that the incremental delivery system of scrum enables it to shorten the time in which the designers can market the program. This may in turn result to higher revenue for the designers of the project, and this is because each and every completed backlog will represent a new release for the program or product under consideration. This stage also allows a review of each sprint, making it possible for the designer to test the program under consideration, while it is still under the design process. This makes it possible for the designer to change the direction and scope of the program in case there is a change of the programs requirements. This process also allows the owners of the project to get involved in the design and development of the product under consideration (Meyers and Oberndorf, 2001, p. 29). . On this basis, the owner of the project will be able to get the design that he or she requires. In as much as Scrum has some advantages, it also has some disadvantages. Schmidt (2013) denotes that under the scrum model, the designer might find it difficult to follow the structure, plan and organization of the project under consideration. This is because of the many frequent changes and requirements of the project initiated by the customer. How the Model will help in achieving my objective: The main objective of the designer is to develop a website that has provisions for discussion boards, private messaging, and RSS newsfeeds. In using the scrum model to meet the aim of this program, the first step is creating a functional specification that outlines the requirements of the website under consideration. As mentioned above, the website must have a discussion forum on factors that affect home carers. This website must also have a provision for private messaging and RSS newsfeeds. Once these requirements are put in place, the developers will follow the established phases and stages of the scrum model to create the website under consideration. The Schedule of the project: Mitra and Gupta (2012) denote that the scrum methodology has three major elements, namely the program owner, team member, and scrum master. As the owner of the program, it will be my duty to identify the time period in which I would want the project. My time period is to complete the project within one month. The scrum master and the team members are members of the design team, and they are responsible for offering help in the design of the project. In my situation above (Highsmith, 2002, p. 32), I would act as the scrum master, and seek the help of a few professionals who will act as my team members. Summary: In conclusion, the use of the scrum model will help to achieve the purpose of the designer. This method is effective, because it allows for the modification of the project to reflect the various needs and requirements of the customer. Analysis: Introduction: The website under consideration is aimed at providing an interactive channel for people to talk about home carers. The website will contain features that will enable users to send private messages, and also contain RSS newsfeeds. The reasons as to why the website is aimed at talking about home carers is because of the inability of adequate and reliable websites that provide information concerning the important role in which these social workers play in the medical field (Lal, 2002). This website under consideration does not have any changing dates for delivery, and its user interface must be simple and easy to use. The Rich Picture and what is needed: Currently, there does not exist any website that talks exclusively on home carers, and as such, it is difficult to provide a rich picture of an inexistent website. However, what is needed in my website is a user and administrative interface that is easy to use. Requirements: This website will have a provision for functional and non functional requirements. Functional requirements of the website will describe what the website will have the capability of doing. Non-functional requirements on the other hand will be concerned with the various functions of the system (Jenkins, 2013). Functional Requirements for the system: Functional Requirement Justification/description The website will have the capability to allow users to sign up, log in, and log out This is for purposes of allowing members of the site to access the discussion board/forum. The website will have the capability of allowing users to access information posted without logging in. This is for purposes of attracting people to sign up with the website, and become members. The website will have the capability of allowing the administrator to log into the administrators area. This will help me to post updates, and control the flow of information within the website. Functional Requirements for Users: Functional Requirement Justification/description The website will have the capability to allow users to sign up, log in, and log out This is for purposes of allowing members of the site access the discussion board/forum. The website will have the capability of allowing users to access information posted without logging in. This is for purposes of attracting people to sign up with the website, and become members. Functional Requirements for administrator: Functional Requirement Justification/description The website will have the capability of allowing the administrator to log into the administrators area. This will help me to post updates, and control the flow of information within the website. Non Functional Requirements: Non-Functional requirement Justification/description Security For purposes of protecting the website from hackers, and personal information of users. Performance For purposes of attracting the flow of traffic to the website. Reliability For purposes of increasing the flow of visitors to the site. Navigation To help users access the site, and the various features offered by the website. Adaptability For the website to be able to be used by other sites, e.g. through referral programs. Usability To make it easy for use, by the administration and the visitors/members. Compatibility For the website to be able to run on different applications such as Mozilla, or even internet explorer. Swot Analysis: Strengths: Weaknesses: Opportunities: Threats: The site will have a forum for discussions on home carers: The site will be interactive: The site will have an option of private messaging. It only contains information concerning home carers, hence it does not have a provision for information pertaining to other health care problems. Opportunity to share knowledge about home carer services. Opportunity to influence the adoption of policies on home carer services by the government, and private health care institution. Failure to attract the necessary traffic. Threat of an attack by the internet viruses. MOSCoW Analysis: Must Should Could Won’t Users are able to access the site. Users are able to discuss the issues that affect home carers. The administration is able to control what is posted on the discussion forum. Creation of a sign up page, where users can register with the website. Use of mobile phones to register with the website. Use of pictures for purposes of identifying the contributors within the discussion forum. Risk Analysis: Risk Mitigation Contingency Attack from a virus Protecting the website by using an anti-virus or in internet security program. The website must crash, and cease to function Hacking of the website Use of the internet security program Private information of users might be at risk. Summary: In conclusion, for this project to be a success, the designer will need the services of a professional web developer to guide him on the best way of developing and designing the website. Other tools needed are the financial resources, which is essential for paying the various people involved in the design and creation of the website, paying for the hosting services, and maintenance costs. Carrying out a risk analysis will help the administrator of the website to protect the personal information of its users, and site under consideration from an attack by the internet virus. Bibliography: Christensen, H. B. (2010). Flexible, reliable software: using patterns and agile development. Boca Raton, FL: Chapman & Hall/CRC. Highsmith, J. A. (2002). Agile software development ecosystems. Boston: Addison-Wesley. Jenkins, S. (2013). Web design all-in-one for dummies (2nd ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley ;. Lal, R. (2012). Digital design essentials: 100 ways to design better desktop, web, and mobile interfaces. Mumbai: Longhorn. Laplante, P. A., & Ovaska, S. J. (2012). Real-time systems design and analysis: tools for the practitioner (4th ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-IEEE Press. Meyers, B. C., & Oberndorf, P. (2001). Managing software acquisition: open systems and COTS products. Boston: Addison-Wesley. Mitra, A., & Gupta, A. (2008). Knowledge reuse and agile processes catalysts for innovation. Hershey, Pa.: IGI Global (701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA). Schmidt, R. F. (2013). Software engineering architecture-driven software development. Waltham, MA: Morgan Kaufmann, an imprint of Elsevier. Shaikh, A. (2012). The Complete IT Recruitment Survival Guide the Definitive Handbook for IT Recruitment Consultants, Resourcers and HR Professionals.. Leicester: Troubador Pub.. Sharkie, C., & Fisher, A. (2013). Jump Start responsive web design. VIC Australia: SitePoint Pty. Ltd.. Read More