Date of Award

9-1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Christopher D. Arnold, Lt Col, USAF

Second Advisor

William Schneider, Lt Col, USAF

Abstract

This study explored the factors influencing divergent outcomes of two computer system development efforts which were undertaken to fulfill the same requirement for computer automation of a manual resource scheduling process. The first project employed the traditional waterfall approach to system development, but resulted in user rejection and cancellation after considerable resources and effort had been expended. The second project employed prototyping and both the process and the product were well received by the users and ultimately produced an operational system. Analysis yielded eight contributory factors to the failure of the first effort. Three of these were related to the waterfall approach, but the remaining five would have adversely affected any type of development effort. As a result, the waterfall approach was not deemed to be the most significant contributor to the failure. However, the major contributor to the success of the second effort was the use of prototyping. Most theoretical advantages of prototyping over the waterfall approach were observed in that effort and two additional advantages were identified Prototyping's disadvantages were largely mitigated by strong management control of the development process.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GSM-LSY-92S-1

DTIC Accession Number

ADA258142

Comments

The authors' Vita pages are omitted.

Presented to the Faculty of the School of Systems and Logistics

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