Analyzing the characteristics of incremental software development by using simulation

Abstract

In the software development, the incremental process has been more widely used because it has low complexity, reduces the defect rates, and improves the productivity. However, a transition from the waterfall to the incremental process can be a burden for the project manager. Currently, the project planning is determined and performed based on the manager`s own experience. On the other hand, the characteristics of the incremental process, including the factors that affect the effort and schedule, are not well understood. Software simulation method can help to systematically analyze the characteristics of the incremental process. We propose an approach to analyzing the characteristics of the incremental process that affect the effort and schedule by using simulation. According to a project environment and various factors, the effort and schedule to complete the project can be extended or reduced. To accommodate the factors that change during the project by affecting each other, we construct the simulation model for the incremental process. We construct the simulation model for both the waterfall and incremental process to find out the difference between them. We then analyze the effect of the size of the increments, project characteristics, and concurrent resource allocation on the effort and schedule.