Finding middle ground management strategy for software development

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance a dynamic programming model that encompasses critical attributes of plan‐driven development, rapid development, agile development, and the hybrid open source development. The paper aims to put forward a middle ground management strategy for software development to gain more effectiveness and efficiency in delivering projects on time and within budget.Design/methodology/approachThe paper combines narrative with argument and analysis with a dynamic programming model. The model was applied to numerical cases with different project operating costs, duration, expected setup costs for a development iteration, and business penalties for a failed iteration. Sensitivity analysis is performed by changing several parameters and observing the effects these changes have on the optimal solution.FindingsThe model delivers a middle ground management strategy for software development and obtains an optimal solution that is better than if a project used one specific development methodology.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates how the dynamic programming model when used with middle ground management strategy would produce the ultimate goal of delivering projects on time and within budget.