What Is a Rapid Prototype Model?

Rapid prototyping models need to quickly build a working software prototype in order to understand and clarify issues, enable developers to reach consensus with users, and ultimately develop customer-satisfied software products based on identified customer needs. The rapid prototyping model allows preliminary but not complete analysis and definition of software requirements during the requirements analysis phase, and quickly designs and develops a prototype of the software system, which shows the user all or part of the functions and performance of the software to be developed; The prototype is tested and evaluated, and specific improvement opinions are given to enrich and refine the software requirements; the developers modify and improve the software accordingly, and after the user's satisfaction and approval, the software is fully implemented, tested, and maintained.

Rapid prototyping model

Rapid prototyping models need to quickly build a working software prototype in order to understand and clarify issues, enable developers to reach consensus with users, and ultimately develop customer-satisfied software products based on identified customer needs. Rapid prototype models allow

Prototype refers to the original model that simulates a product and is often used in other industries. A prototype in software development is an early runnable version of the software that reflects important characteristics of the final system.

Rapid prototype model is also called prototype model, it is

Pros: overcome

Due to the different purposes and methods of using prototypes, different strategies are also adopted when using prototypes, including discard strategies and additional strategies.

1. The abandonment strategy is to use the prototype for a certain stage of the development process, which promotes the development results of this stage to be more complete, accurate, consistent, and reliable. After this stage, the prototype is invalidated. Exploratory and experimental use this strategy.

2. The additional strategy is to use the prototype for the entire development process. The prototype starts from the most basic core, gradually adds new functions and new requirements, and iteratively modifies and expands. Finally, it develops into a final system that is satisfied by the user. It is this strategy.

Which form and strategy to use for rapid prototyping mainly depend on the characteristics of the software project, the quality of the personnel, the prototyping development tools and technologies that can be supported, etc., which must be determined according to the characteristics of the actual situation.

The traditional waterfall model is essentially a linear sequence model, which has obvious shortcomings. There is a strict sequence and dependencies between the stages. In particular, the importance of pre-defined requirements is emphasized, and specific development is under way. Before work, software requirements must be pre-defined and "frozen" through requirements analysis, and then implemented step by step. But actual projects rarely follow this linear sequence. Before the system is established, it is difficult to determine a complete, accurate, consistent, and effective set of user requirements based on analysis alone. This method of pre-defined requirements cannot adapt to the changing needs of users.

The changing needs of users are reflected in:

(1) Demand is variable. The requirements of some application software are closely related to the external environment and business content, so the requirements are changing at any time. When software is developed in accordance with such pre-specified requirements, it is often outdated when the software is developed, which does not meet the needs of users.

(2) Demand is vague. For most application systems, such as management information systems, the requirements are often difficult to define accurately in advance, that is, the assumptions made by the strategy of pre-defined requirements are only valid for certain software and not for most software. Many users initially had only vague concepts of their needs, and it was obviously impractical to ask someone who had only initial assumptions about the needs to say all the requirements accurately.

(3) Difficulties in communication between users and developers. Most users and experts in the professional field are not familiar with computer and software development technology, and software developers are often not familiar with the user's professional field. Therefore, it is difficult for developers and users to fully communicate and understand each other. User requirements made in stages are often incomplete and inaccurate.

The traditional waterfall model is difficult to adapt to the development of software systems with variable and ambiguous requirements, and it is difficult for users to participate in the development process, and the entire software system cannot be seen until the end of development. This ideal, linear development process lacks flexibility and is not suitable for the actual development process.

The proposed rapid prototype model can better solve the limitations of the waterfall model. By establishing a prototype, it can better communicate with customers, resolve clarification of some fuzzy requirements, and have a strong ability to adapt to changes in requirements. . The prototype model can reduce technology and application risks, shorten development time, reduce costs, and increase productivity. By actually running the prototype, it provides a method for users to directly evaluate the system, prompting users to actively participate in development activities, strengthening information feedback, and promoting various The coordination and communication of such personnel can reduce misunderstandings, can adapt to changes in requirements, and ultimately effectively improve the quality of software systems.