Effective Software Project Management

Comparing and Contrasting the SDPM Models

The two models (Staged Delivery Waterfall model and the Feature-Driven Development model) are the same in that both the goal and solution are clearly defined and documented. That is the necessary criteria for using either of these two Incremental models. Where the two approaches differ relates to the need to get deliverables into the users’ hands. Whether the user is internal to the company or external, there are business reasons to get intermediate solutions into their hands. That is the sole motivation for using an Incremental model instead of a Linear model—to get those intermediate solutions. That is on the positive side of the ledger. On the negative side is the fact that by deploying intermediate solutions you encourage the customer and the end users to suggest changes. These cannot be ignored even though they send disruptive waves coursing through the project schedule and resource plan.