Is Internet-Speed Software Development Different?

0 7 4 0 7 4 5 9 / 0 3 / $ 1 7 . 0 0 © 2 0 0 3 I E E E Current software development methods and software process improvement approaches (ISO 9000, Capability Maturity Models, SPICE, and BOOTSTRAP, for example) are typically effective in large-scale, long-term development efforts with stable and disciplined processes.1 In contrast, Internet-speed software development involves rapid requirement changes and unpredictable product complexity. Such environments require software development approaches that balance flexibility and disciplined methodology.2–4 High-visibility Internet software leaders such as Microsoft and Netscape have adopted agile development methods for this new arena. Whether these practices support traditional software engineering principles and will result in high-quality software isn’t clear, however. On the basis of our multiphase study of 10 software development organizations over three years, in conjunction with findings from a Discovery Colloquium on best practices for fast-paced software development, we examine how and why practices used to develop software at Internet speed differ from traditional software development.