Datasheet
16
❘
CHAPTER 1 SHIPPING SOFTWARE
circle. There are fi ve corresponding project phases in each iteration. These are labeled on the inside
of the circle. The project moves from one phase to the next as each milestone is achieved:
Developing
Planning
Deploying Envisioning
Stabilizing
5. Deployment
complete
1. Vision/scope
approved
4. Release
readiness
approved
2. Project plan
approved
3. Scope
complete
FIGURE 1 - 6: The MSF process model.
1. Vision/scope approved — This milestone is reached at the end of the envisioning phase,
after the vision/scope document is reviewed and approved by the project sponsor and user
community. In contrast to the Waterfall method, the vision/scope document is typically not
an exhaustive list of requirements. Instead, it captures the high - level vision for the release
and the specifi c scope that will be implemented. It may have screen shots of competing
systems or of prototypes. It may defi ne high - level use cases, business workfl ows, or personas
to indicate how the system will be used and by whom.
2. Project plan approved — This milestone is reached at the end of the planning phase,
after the functional spec is written and a concrete project plan is approved by the project
sponsor. This is typically a relatively long phase. It involves prototypes and detailed design
activities. The more technical work that is completed in this phase, the more accurate
project plans will be.
3. Scope complete — This milestone is reached after the components are built and unit
tested during the developing phase. All major software development is complete at this
point.
4. Release readiness approved — This milestone occurs after the stabilizing phase, when
the system is tested for end - to - end correctness and workfl ows. This phase also typically
includes stress and performance testing. In addition, production - readiness activities, such as
run books for operations and confi guration tools, are built.
5. Deployment complete — This milestone is reached after the deploying phase, when the
software is deployed to the target operating environment.
CH001.indd 16CH001.indd 16 3/23/11 2:47:02 PM3/23/11 2:47:02 PM