Application of a Composite Process Framework for Managing Green ICT Applications Development

Overview

The Composite Process Framework is a standard procedure for adopting a combination of software development approaches. The composite process framework model illustrate how to adopt elements of various software development processes in a single project within an organization, in such a way that help resolve some of the issues and problems associated with the implementation of these processes in developing solutions such as Green ICT system.

Composite Process Framework Model

The composite process framework model as shown in Figure 1, consists from three distinct layers making the three System Development Life Cycles that are categorized as Waterfall (Royce, 1970), Iterative-incremental, and rapid (Martin, 1991) life cycles. The rapid life cycles can be said to encompass an “Agile” approach.

Figure 1.

Composite Process Framework Model (Maharmeh & Unhelkar, 2008, 2009a)

While the composite process framework consists from three layers, it does not require having all the three layers in place to operate. The composite process framework could use a composition of two or more processes that are “Waterfall and iterative approach” or “Waterfall, iterative and agile approach” (Maharmeh & Unhelkar, 2009b).

The process framework utilizes the high-ceremony aspects of the Waterfall approach at the top layer for taking care of planning and project management tasks. In the next layer, it uses the Iterative and incremental approach aspects for taking care of implementation and testing of each increment. Finally, it utilises the extreme flexibility, fast delivery, high quality and collaboration aspects of agility within each iteration of the project at the third layer of the model.

Advantages of the Composite Framework

The incorporation of multiple types of processes across the three layers of the Composite Model, helps amalgamate the advantages of each of the participating processes. This benefits the software development process within organizations resulting in, better planning, less risk, and more user participation during the project development life cycle.

Suitability of Composite Process for Green ICT Systems

The size and complexity of Green ICT systems requires the use of software development process that is flexible and support software development life cycle.

The composite process framework and its model as explained before shows that, it is suitable for implementing medium to large size systems such as Green ICT solutions. The composite process supports iterative-incremental development and incorporates agile aspects that increase user participations during the project life cycle. These aspects of the composite process, in addition to, providing better control over the project management, makes it very suitable for managing the development of a Green ICT system.