Chapter 3 Research Methodology - DSpace@UM

highly skilled people is required and the iterative process somehow demand more time andhigher costs (Parekh, 2005). For prototyping approach, prototypes are developed afterprototypes until the software is perfect. A simple prototype is built from a simple conceptand is then improvised little by little in real time environment. The withdrawn forprototyping approach is that, if there are any changes, it has to go back to the drawingboard, causing more time to be wasted (geekinterview.com, 2008). In Rapid ApplicationDevelopment (RAD), it focuses on smaller projects that can be launched quickly andconcluded with tangible deliveries. It also requires active and continuous involvement ofclients in the phases of planning, analysis and testing throughout the repetitive prototypingprocess. Both RAD and prototype approaches will not work if it is hard to engage users inan ongoing basis during the development phase (Mochal, 2001).The Waterfall model was chosen as the EMMLS software developmentmethodology based on the following (Wikipedia, 2010):(i) It is a well-structured, well-documented and disciplined methodology.(ii) Each stage is ensured 100% completeness and errorless before proceeding to thenext stage.(iii)Thorough analysis has to be carried out; program design must be perfected beforesystem development phase.(iv) Works is divided into modules/units before actual coding is started. Each unit isdeveloped and tested for its functionality.(v) Time and efforts saved due to its awareness of actual requirement and problemstatements in early stage of development.(vi)Well-documented along the development process to avoid data loss and allowednew comers to familiarize themselves by reading the existing documentation.31