Rapid Prototyping: A Survey and Evaluation of Methodologies and Models

The DoD requirements for software are growing almost as rapidly as the escalating cost of developing the software. The new rapid prototyping paradigm is an innovative approach to software development, which modifies the traditional life cycle model. This thesis features a comprehensive survey and evaluation of the rapid prototyping paradigm. The survey describes the rapid prototyping process, the complex prototyping support system environment required, proposed rapid prototyping methodologies, and published rapid prototyping models. The rapid prototyping methodologies and models are evaluated with respect to their conceptual design. The survey and evaluation of the methodologies and models reveal a progressive paradigm featuring some methodologies and models that can be implemented now and some that are capable of being implemented in the future. Because of DoDs influence on the software industry, we discuss how DoD should usher in the new paradigm, set strategic goals, and further decompose these goals into near-term, and long-term goals.