4) Some of the adaptive approaches to developing systems (like agile) are becoming more popular. Are they any better or more appropriate than prescriptive approaches in most cases? Why or why not?

1)      Some of the adaptive approaches to developing systems (like agile) are becoming more popular.  Are they any better or more appropriate than prescriptive approaches in most cases?  Why or why not?

The approach to development will vary with the project and resources available.  The prescriptive approach can work with the development of a new product for customer’s that have a clearly defined set of standards/needs.  It also works well with upgrades to a system, since the development will have a starting point and then be able to use process like a Rapid Application Development (RAD), Joint Application Development, or even prototyping to show constant changes in the product development and allow for fast customer feedback.

The more adaptive approach to development works well when you have customers that are more active in the programming/development process or if the scope of the project is not clearly defined.  Adaptive approaches to developing systems like agile are becoming more popular, but are not necessarily more appropriate in most cases.  It all depends on the project.  A simple change to a website or a patch to a software program that someone can download online can be lower risk projects and a quicker less rigid process can be beneficial to these minor/small changes that may have to be done fairly regularly. 

     Small, online marketing companies and ecommerce companies often have ads that have to do with sales for a particular weekend or special product and need to post the advertisement on their company’s website and quickly.  In this case, a traditional Waterfall SDLC would probably be too rigid. 

                If the project is high risk like a major change that is going to take more than a month and business processes will be changed because of it, then a more predictable methodology such as Waterfall might be more appropriate.  Agile and adaptive processes have probably gained more popularity due to ecommerce becoming more prevalent and an increase in focus towards customer satisfaction related to expanding services