Question on waterfall methods for SW Development

[Gerrit Muller]

Rusty,

The most important issue in complex systems is the fact that we, humans,
have a very limited wisdom. We compensate this by our ability to learn.
Learning is based on frequent feedback. The core of iterative methods is
to create exactly this.

Most people take the waterfall method way too literal, resulting in a
srictly sequential process without feedback. I have seen many disasters
develop, due to lack of feedback.

See a short article I wrote:

http://www.extra.research.philips.com/natlab/sysarch/FeedbackPaper.pdf

in 

http://www.extra.research.philips.com/natlab/sysarch/index.html

Regards Gerrit
Rusty Williamson wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> 
> Under what circumstances would a 'waterfall' methodology be better or
> preferable to an 'iterative' methodology?  Any information on this would be
> greatly appreciated.
> 
> Thanks!
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Rusty Williamson
> System Architect
> GERS Retail Systems
> http://www.gers.com/
> The Object Workshop
> http://home.san.rr.com/williamson/
> Home Page
> http://www.znet.com/~rusty/
> ------------------------------------------------------------

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Gerrit Muller                Philips Research Laboratories Eindhoven
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http://www.extra.research.philips.com/natlab/sysarch/index.html