Comparative analysis of agile methods and iterative enhancement model in assessment of software maintenance

The software industry is moving swiftly towards agile methodology to ensure quality, reliability and scalability of software products delivered since it provides alternatives to the traditional project management techniques. Moreover, the agile approach also helps in business to address the problem of unpredictability. Scrum is the most commonly used agile method applied to the projects having fast changing requirements. Development in this method is implemented through a series of iterations known as sprints. The current study provides insight into the impact of the agile framework using Scrum on the deliverables as compared to the Iterative Enhancement Model (IEM). In this study, same product is developed using Scrum methods as well as IEM Method and various metrics were used to compare both the products such as the stage of software development life cycle (SDLC) when the defect was identified, number of defects identified, time when the defects were identified, number of change requests received, time when the error got detected and the features rolled out using both methods. All these metrics are carefully selected as they are significant while analyzing the maintainability of any given software. It clearly emerges that agile methodology encourages better planning due to the customer involvement thus more amenable to accommodate the desired changes easily. Agile methodology is also beneficial as it overtly emphasizes on highly interactive and frequent communication between developers and customers. This method also ensures dynamic development and facilitates quick delivery with a scope of continuous enhancement because the product is very flexible in nature. Defects are identified at early stages of SDLC thereby avoiding any cost overrun.