Development Processes Analysis Cards

These cards are designed for the AP CSP Day 6 - Development Processes lesson. Each card includes detailed information to support student analysis activities.

Card Set Instructions

For Teachers

• Print one set of 8 cards
• Distribute one card per group (3-4 students)
• Use with the Development Process Analysis Worksheet
• Allow 10-15 minutes for group analysis
• 5 minutes for presentation

For Students

Use the Development Process Analysis Framework to examine your innovation:

1. Process Identification: What development process was used?
2. Methodology Analysis: What methodology was applied?
3. Step Breakdown: What steps were involved?
4. Challenge Assessment: What challenges were faced during development?
5. Solution Implementation: How were challenges solved?
6. Impact Evaluation: What was the impact of the development process?
7. Reflection: What did you learn about development processes?

🧠 Card #1: Agile Development

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Agile development is an iterative approach to software development that emphasizes flexibility and collaboration.

Key Features

• **Iterative development
• **Regular feedback
• **Collaborative planning
• **Flexible requirements

Development Process

• Planning: Regular sprint planning with team input
• Implementation: Incremental development
• Testing: Continuous testing throughout development
• Refinement: Regular updates based on feedback

Challenges & Solutions

• Changing requirements: Use iterative development
• Team communication: Use regular stand-up meetings
• Scope creep: Use sprint planning
• Testing: Use continuous integration
• Feedback: Use regular user testing
• Refinement: Use retrospectives

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved flexibility
• **Enhanced team coordination
• **Better user satisfaction
• **Increased efficiency
• **More accurate documentation

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of agile development?
2. How does it support iterative development?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in agile development?
5. What improvements could be made to agile processes?

🧠 Card #2: Waterfall Development

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Waterfall development is a linear approach to software development with distinct phases.

Key Features

• **Sequential phases
• **Detailed planning
• **Strict documentation
• **Phase reviews

Development Process

• Planning: Comprehensive requirements gathering
• Implementation: Step-by-step development
• Testing: Dedicated testing phase
• Refinement: Limited iteration

Challenges & Solutions

• Changing requirements: Use detailed planning
• Communication: Use formal documentation
• Testing: Use dedicated testing phase
• Feedback: Use phase reviews
• Refinement: Use formal change control

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved planning
• **Enhanced documentation
• **Better project control

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of waterfall development?
2. How does it support linear development?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in waterfall processes?
5. What improvements could be made to waterfall development?

🧠 Card #3: Spiral Development

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Spiral development is a risk-focused approach that combines iterative development with risk management.

Key Features

• **Risk analysis
• **Iterative approach
• **Prototyping
• **User feedback

Development Process

• Planning: Identify and analyze risks
• Implementation: Create prototypes
• Testing: Evaluate prototypes
• Refinement: Address identified risks

Challenges & Solutions

• Risk identification: Use risk analysis
• Prototyping: Use iterative development
• Feedback: Use user testing
• Risk management: Use risk analysis
• Refinement: Use prototype evaluation

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved risk management
• **Enhanced iterative development
• **Better user satisfaction

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of spiral development?
2. How does it support risk management?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in spiral processes?
5. What improvements could be made to spiral development?

🧠 Card #4: Iterative Development

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Iterative development is a process that involves repeated cycles of development and refinement.

Key Features

• **Development cycles
• **Continuous improvement
• **User feedback
• **Refinement

Development Process

• Planning: Define requirements for iteration
• Implementation: Develop features
• Testing: Evaluate current iteration
• Refinement: Improve based on feedback

Challenges & Solutions

• Changing requirements: Use iterative approach
• Feedback: Use user testing
• Testing: Use continuous evaluation
• Refinement: Use feedback for improvement
• Planning: Use iteration-specific requirements

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved quality
• **Enhanced flexibility
• **Better user satisfaction

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of iterative development?
2. How does it support continuous improvement?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in iterative processes?
5. What improvements could be made to iterative development?

🧠 Card #5: Mobile App Development

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Billions globally

What It Is

Mobile app development is the process of creating applications for mobile devices.

Key Features

• **User interface design
• **Platform-specific development
• **Testing on mobile devices
• **App store optimization

Development Process

• Planning: Identify mobile user needs
• Implementation: Develop for specific platforms
• Testing: Test on various devices
• Refinement: Improve based on user feedback

Challenges & Solutions

• Platform diversity: Use cross-platform tools
• Testing: Use emulators and real devices
• User feedback: Use app store reviews
• Refinement: Use iterative updates
• Planning: Use user research

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved mobile experience
• **Enhanced user engagement
• **Better app quality

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of mobile app development?
2. How does it support platform-specific development?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in mobile development?
5. What improvements could be made to mobile app development?

🧠 Card #6: Web Development Process

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Web development is the process of creating websites and web applications.

Key Features

• **Front-end development
• **Back-end development
• **Cross-browser compatibility
• **Responsive design

Development Process

• Planning: Define website requirements
• Implementation: Develop front-end and back-end
• Testing: Check cross-browser functionality
• Refinement: Improve based on analytics

Challenges & Solutions

• Cross-browser: Use responsive design
• User experience: Use user testing
• Performance: Use optimization techniques
• Refinement: Use analytics for improvement
• Planning: Use requirement gathering

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved website quality
• **Enhanced user experience
• **Better cross-platform support

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of web development?
2. How does it support cross-platform development?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in web development?
5. What improvements could be made to web development?

🧠 Card #7: Game Development Process

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Game development is the process of creating video games from concept to completion.

Key Features

• **Game design
• **Programming
• **Art and sound creation
• **Testing and iteration

Development Process

• Planning: Create game concept and design
• Implementation: Develop game mechanics and assets
• Testing: Playtesting and bug fixing
• Refinement: Improve based on player feedback

Challenges & Solutions

• Game balance: Use playtesting
• Performance: Use optimization
• Art and programming: Use collaboration
• Testing: Use iterative playtesting
• Refinement: Use player feedback

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved game quality
• **Enhanced player experience
• **Better game mechanics

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of game development?
2. How does it support creative expression?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in game development?
5. What improvements could be made to game development?

🧠 Card #8: Open Source Development

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Open source development is a collaborative approach to software development that allows public contribution.

Key Features

• **Public code repositories
• **Community contributions
• **Peer review
• **Collaborative development

Development Process

• Planning: Community-driven requirements
• Implementation: Distributed development
• Testing: Community testing
• Refinement: Continuous improvement

Challenges & Solutions

• Coordination: Use community guidelines
• Quality control: Use code review
• Documentation: Use collaborative documentation
• Testing: Use community testing
• Refinement: Use feedback from users

Impact of Development Process

• **Improved software quality
• **Enhanced collaboration
• **Better innovation

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main features of open source development?
2. How does it support collaborative development?
3. What are its key components?
4. What challenges might arise in open source development?
5. What improvements could be made to open source processes?

📋 Development Process Analysis Worksheet

Development Process: ________________________

1. Process Identification

What development process was used?

Explanation: Describe the main features of the process

2. Methodology Analysis

What methodology was applied?

Explanation: Explain the development methodology

3. Step Breakdown

What steps were involved in the process?

Explanation: Identify and explain each step

4. Challenge Assessment

What challenges were faced during development?

Explanation: Discuss how challenges were addressed

5. Solution Implementation

How were solutions implemented?

Explanation: Describe the implementation approach

6. Impact Evaluation

What was the impact of the development process?

Explanation: Discuss the outcome of the process

7. Reflection

What did you learn about development processes?

Explanation: Reflect on your understanding of processes

Teacher Answer Key

Quick Reference Guide

Tools: Agile development, Waterfall development, Spiral development, Iterative development, Mobile app development, Web development, Game development, Open source development

Common Student Misconceptions

1. All development processes are the same - Emphasize the diversity of approaches
2. Processes are just for large projects - Highlight their applicability to all project sizes
3. Understanding processes is unnecessary - Discuss the importance of process identification

Extension Questions for Advanced Students

• How do these processes demonstrate the importance of methodology?
• What role does iteration play in successful development?
• How do these processes support different project needs?
• What challenges might arise in process implementation?
• How can you apply this knowledge in future projects?

These analysis cards are designed for maximum flexibility and can be adapted for various class periods, group sizes, and learning objectives. Teachers should preview activities and select based on student needs and available time.