The adaptive software development (ASD) model, like most agile methods, assumes that change is inevitable. The ASD is a method that encourages incremental iterations using a prototyping model. The ASD process model facilitates communication, planning, analysis, design and development, testing, and deployment. Software development teams use the ASD method to support a component-based development approach that works well with large teams and safety-critical projects. Introduced by Highsmith in 2000, ASD uses a speculate, collaborate, and learn cycle rather than the traditional plan, design, and build lifecycle. The ASD model is one of the earlier agile approaches.
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Learning loops are a vital process in ASD. The learning cycle integrates learning loops to enhance collaboration with the implementation goal. During the speculation phase, the team gathers the requirements, and the development process begins with the schedule and the development objectives fixed. The development team works on several concurrent components, continuously refined in an iterative process. However, the ASD approach does not provide for the identification of agile team members who participate in the analysis phase, the criteria for software requirements selection, or the criteria during the analysis phase. The ASD model uses timebound iterations, usually four to five-week sprints, and users participate in all iterations and face-to-face meetings. Like most agile approaches, ASD does not strongly emphasize documentationAdaptive Software Development (ASD) is an iterative and incremental approach to software development that was developed to respond to the rapid pace and changing requirements often found in software projects. It evolved from Rapid Application Development (RAD) as a way to create complex software and systems.
ASD promotes continuous adaptation and learning within teams, with the aim of creating a product that meets the client's needs as closely as possible in a constantly evolving environment.
The three main phases of the Adaptive Software Development lifecycle are Speculate, Collaborate, and Learn:
Speculate: This phase replaces the traditional planning and designing phases. In ASD, speculation acknowledges that the plan is subject to change. Teams speculate about the requirements, functionality, and timelines. The speculative phase results in creating a project feature list and establishing time-boxed iterations for development.
Collaborate: This phase focuses on teamwork and customer involvement to develop software features within the established iterations. Adaptive teams need to work closely to respond effectively to any changes. Collaboration between all stakeholders (team members, customers, management, etc.) is essential for the development and feedback process.
Learn: The Learn phase involves reviewing and learning from the results of each iteration. This process involves analyzing what was done and how it was accomplished to refine and adapt the process for the next speculation and collaboration phases. Learning is seen as a way to nurture adaptivity and to manage the change and uncertainty that are inherent in software development projects.
ASD recognizes the evolutionary nature of software development and places a strong emphasis on human collaboration and learning. Its principles and philosophy are reflected in the Agile Manifesto, and it's considered as a predecessor of more recent agile methodologies. The ultimate goal of ASD is to build a culture that can quickly respond to changing requirements and technologies, fostering continuous improvement and growth.