Another journal task was to research and compare two different design methodologies. The two methodologies i had to compare were 'Waterfall and 'Whirlpool'.
Waterfall:
The Waterfall software development model has been in use for a number of decades and it is still commonly used in software development projects today. It is a sequential model where the development process goes through a number of phases in a certain order.
While it has been replaced to a large degree by the iterative models of software development,
Waterfall still has its place in today's IT world. Basically, it requires that any project goes through the stages of requirements analysis, design, implementation (coding), verification, and maintenance.
Whirlpool:
The whirlpool model is very much the same as the waterfall model, but the design process goes around and around like a whirlpool. Like the waterfall you work through each process until completion, but when the cycle has been completed, you work through the design model again and again, enabling improvements and advances in technology and adapting the project to a new audience. What’s fashionable today can be uninteresting in the future, technology moves very
quickly in website design.
The Waterfall model has a few advantages. The amount of pre-planning that goes into the requirements and design phases makes it the most economical and risk free way to develop software as it identifies and weeds out any potential problems at the outset. The Waterfall model also puts an emphasis on documentation and structure. This is an advantage when someone leaves the development team as the necessary documentation is there to help a new person take over.
However, Its rigid structure and the inability to backtrack. It also isn't very client-focused as it makes any requests to change the software during the development process almost impossible to agree to. And while each phase of development should be 100% perfect before it is completed, it can become very complicated if they are not.
The ‘Whirlpool’ model could be considered a better overall system than the ‘Waterfall’ model as it allows changes over and over again. This holds no restrictions when it comes to the process which allows a more in-depth approach allowing such problems as expense and errors being notified before action.
In comparison the process would allow me to go back on designs and implement them as building blocks providing a more in-depth approach. This would provide me with the option of working on one stage at a time.
Whirlpool for Web Design:
The whirlpool model is ideal for web design, you work through the process once and then begin the process again to improve your design. The whirlpool model allows you to constantly evaluate a project, making improvements to the overall design as well as adapting the website for future technology and advancements in web design. A client may want you to update the website on a regular basis. Therefore the whirlpool method can be better for website design, as the method allows you to constantly evaluate and update an ongoing project.
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