Adaptive Methodologies for System Development: A Comparison of Scrum and Extreme Programming (XP)

Contents
Introduction to Adaptive Methodologies...............................................................................................1
Scrum Methodology..............................................................................................................................1
General Discussion............................................................................................................................1
Advantages........................................................................................................................................2
Disadvantages....................................................................................................................................2
Extreme Programming (XP)..................................................................................................................3
General Discussion............................................................................................................................3
Advantages........................................................................................................................................3
Disadvantages....................................................................................................................................3
Recommendations.................................................................................................................................3
Event Table............................................................................................................................................4
Domain Model Class Diagram................................................................................................................5
Design Class Diagram.............................................................................................................................6
Use Case Diagram..................................................................................................................................7
Use Case Description (intermediate) – Create job.................................................................................8
References.............................................................................................................................................9
Appendix...............................................................................................................................................9
Memo................................................................................................................................................9

Introduction to Adaptive Methodologies
The required system needed for the OJL can be developed using a variety of different
methods and approaches. However, each of the methods may or may not be the most
optimum method and the resulting output may as well differ based on the methods and
approaches that were followed. Also, the approach that is followed also plays an important
role in deciding the behaviour of the system and also, it’s attributes. One of the choices of
system development methodologies is known as adaptive methods for development system.
Each of these methods have their own set of guidelines and approaches, however in the case
fo adaptive methods, the defined approaches are not static and it changes from project to
project. This is because, each of the project have their own unique requirements and differ in
types. Methodologies like the one suggested here help the developers in developing robust
and scalable system by making use of ad-hoc process. The most famous class of development
methodologies under these methods are the Agile frameworks. These methods are meant to
provide projects as well as their respective team members with the abilities and benefits of
producing scalable products which are in according with the expectation of customers. The
project in this case is about developing a system that will run on mobile devices for an
organization known as Odd Jobs Limited or OJL. The main users of this system would be the
contracting staff that have been employed by the company. The report would further address
the right choice of development methodology while comparing SCRUM as well as XP
methodology for system development.
Scrum Methodology
General Discussion
SCRUM is a type of adaptive software development methodology and is primarily based on
the previously mentioned Agile Frameworks. SCRUM does not have any fixed steps or

sequences that has been defined as per it’s methodology and the overall development process
that has to be followed is based on ad-hoc process. The requirements for the project are also
mainly analysed and stored as user stories. The project work and development is executed on
the basis of variety of sprints that are completed one after the other. Also, a sub-set of user
stories are extracted from the backlog of the product and are then placed in sprint backlog in
order to execute them. One cycle of such runs for over a period of 14 days and it goes to a
maximum of 4 weeks. Typically SCRUM based project has small team size that varies from 5
to 9 members (Sachdeva, 2016). Customers are in the end provided with a product that works
and they are supposed to test and give their feedbacks.
Advantages
SCRUM methodology has certain key advantages over other methodology and can prove to
be quite valuable in similar cases.
 The customers would get the product delivery in very short intervals and they would
also be able to receive hands-on experience for working on the product towards the
end of each of the sprint. Furthermore, customers will be able to interact with the
system even before the final release of the product.
 The customers would also be able to provide their feedback and their responses after
working on the product and these feedbacks and comments are then incorporated in
sprint which enhances the quality and overall abilities of the final product.
 The project under SCRUM is also highly scalable and any changes requested for the
system can be easily scaled up and down during the development of the project
(Mahnic, 2012).
 There are many risks associated with an IT Project. For the same, risk analysis and
identification shall be handled in the initial sprints itself. Further head, the dynamic
risks would be executed.

Disadvantages
 SCRUM requires lot of attention and devotion from the developers and project
managers. In efficient team or team with no SCRUM experience may hinder the
complete benefits that SCRUM provides (Rajasekaran, 2015).
 SCRUM does not require an END date and as a result, certain activities such as go-
live, training and support becomes vague and ambiguous in the case of SCRUM base
projects. There’s also an issue that the project may fall into limbo and continue
indefinitely.
 If any member of the project team leaves the team, then the new member who will be
added to replace him would face certain difficulties in catching it up.
Extreme Programming (XP)
General Discussion
XP or Extreme programming is a software development methodology which is also based on
the Agile frameworks. The main standout feature of XP is it’s ability to incorporate frequent
changes within the project at ease. The initial phases in XP requires the team members to
work on analysing the project outcomes as well as results. After that, the development-
oriented tasks are executed and simultaneously, parallel testing is also carried out. The
methodology is famous for it’s shorter development lifecycles as well as enhanced team
productivity (Wood, Michaelides & Thomson, 2013). XP incorporates the use of checkpoints
in order to manage project needs as well as modifications done on those requirements.
Advantages
 The intensive tests within the project would ensure that identified risks and gaps are
resolved as and when they occur.