The Challenges and Solutions for Developing Mobile Apps in a Small University
As computing technology advances, smartphone
applications can assist student learning in a pervasive way. For
example, the idea of using mobile apps for the PA Common Trees,
Pests, Pathogens, in the field as a reference tool allows middle school
students to learn about trees and associated pests/pathogens without
bringing a textbook. While working on the development of three heterogeneous mobile
apps, we ran into numerous challenges. Both the traditional waterfall
model and the more modern agile methodologies failed in practice.
The waterfall model emphasizes the planning of the duration for each
phase. When the duration of each phase is not consistent with the
availability of developers, the waterfall model cannot be employed.
When applying Agile Methodologies, we cannot maintain the high
frequency of the iterative development review process, known as
‘sprints’. In this paper, we discuss the challenges and solutions. We
propose a hybrid model known as the Relay Race Methodology to
reflect the concept of racing and relaying during the process of
software development in practice. Based on the development project,
we observe that the modeling of the relay race transition between any
two phases is manifested naturally. Thus, we claim that the RRM
model can provide a de fecto rather than a de jure basis for the core
concept in the software development model. In this paper, the background of the project is introduced first.
Then, the challenges are pointed out followed by our solutions.
Finally, the experiences learned and the future works are presented.
[1] Beck, Kent et al., 2010. Manifesto for Agile Software Development. Agile Alliance, 2010.
[2] Evon M. O. Abu-Taeh, Asm Abdel Rahman El Shekh, Jehan Abu Tayeh, 2007. Simulation and Modeling: Current Technologies and Applications. IGI Global, Jordan, 2007, pp. 156-174.
[3] Orit Hazzan, E. J. Tomayko, 2004. Human aspects of Software Engineering. Charles River Media, 2004.
[4] Roman Soltys and Anthony Crawford, 1999. JAD for business plans and designs. DOI=http://www.thefacilitator.com/htdocs/article11.html. Last update time unknown. Accessed September 18, 2015.
[5] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Pennsylvania DCNR), 2011. Common Trees of Pennsylvania. DOI= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003489.pdf, 2011.
[6] Project Learning Tree in Pennsylvania, 2015. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Pennsylvania DCNR). DOI= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/education/projectlearningtree/index.htm.
[7] Royce, Winston, 1970. Managing the Development of Large Software Systems. Proceedings of IEEE WESCON 26, 1970, pp. 1-9.
[8] Saqib Saeed, (ed.). Human Factors in Software Development and Design. IGI Global, 2014.
[9] Tejas Vithani, Anand Kumar. 2014. Modeling the Mobile Application Development Lifecycle. Proceedings of the International MultiConference of Engineers and Computer Scientists, 2014.
[10] Wasserman, A. I., 2010. Software Engineering Issues for Mobile Application Development. FoSER 2010, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
[1] Beck, Kent et al., 2010. Manifesto for Agile Software Development. Agile Alliance, 2010.
[2] Evon M. O. Abu-Taeh, Asm Abdel Rahman El Shekh, Jehan Abu Tayeh, 2007. Simulation and Modeling: Current Technologies and Applications. IGI Global, Jordan, 2007, pp. 156-174.
[3] Orit Hazzan, E. J. Tomayko, 2004. Human aspects of Software Engineering. Charles River Media, 2004.
[4] Roman Soltys and Anthony Crawford, 1999. JAD for business plans and designs. DOI=http://www.thefacilitator.com/htdocs/article11.html. Last update time unknown. Accessed September 18, 2015.
[5] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Pennsylvania DCNR), 2011. Common Trees of Pennsylvania. DOI= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003489.pdf, 2011.
[6] Project Learning Tree in Pennsylvania, 2015. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Pennsylvania DCNR). DOI= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/education/projectlearningtree/index.htm.
[7] Royce, Winston, 1970. Managing the Development of Large Software Systems. Proceedings of IEEE WESCON 26, 1970, pp. 1-9.
[8] Saqib Saeed, (ed.). Human Factors in Software Development and Design. IGI Global, 2014.
[9] Tejas Vithani, Anand Kumar. 2014. Modeling the Mobile Application Development Lifecycle. Proceedings of the International MultiConference of Engineers and Computer Scientists, 2014.
[10] Wasserman, A. I., 2010. Software Engineering Issues for Mobile Application Development. FoSER 2010, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
@article{"International Journal of Information, Control and Computer Sciences:71384", author = "Greg Turner and Bin Lu and Cheer-Sun Yang", title = "The Challenges and Solutions for Developing Mobile Apps in a Small University", abstract = "As computing technology advances, smartphone
applications can assist student learning in a pervasive way. For
example, the idea of using mobile apps for the PA Common Trees,
Pests, Pathogens, in the field as a reference tool allows middle school
students to learn about trees and associated pests/pathogens without
bringing a textbook. While working on the development of three heterogeneous mobile
apps, we ran into numerous challenges. Both the traditional waterfall
model and the more modern agile methodologies failed in practice.
The waterfall model emphasizes the planning of the duration for each
phase. When the duration of each phase is not consistent with the
availability of developers, the waterfall model cannot be employed.
When applying Agile Methodologies, we cannot maintain the high
frequency of the iterative development review process, known as
‘sprints’. In this paper, we discuss the challenges and solutions. We
propose a hybrid model known as the Relay Race Methodology to
reflect the concept of racing and relaying during the process of
software development in practice. Based on the development project,
we observe that the modeling of the relay race transition between any
two phases is manifested naturally. Thus, we claim that the RRM
model can provide a de fecto rather than a de jure basis for the core
concept in the software development model. In this paper, the background of the project is introduced first.
Then, the challenges are pointed out followed by our solutions.
Finally, the experiences learned and the future works are presented.", keywords = "Agile methods, mobile apps, software process
model, waterfall model.", volume = "9", number = "10", pages = "2244-7", }