The development cycle as it is described by the IT professionals that participated in the skill standard identification means the approach to how work is done. The elements of the development cycle for these purposes include:

• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Testing
• Implementation
• Documentation

In some of the IT career clusters, the development cycle elements were very explicit; e.g., interactive digital media specialist and software engineer. In other clusters, the elements were more implicit but some aspect of the development cycle elements were seen as necessary to all eight career clusters. For example, in database associate, the emphasis in the skill standard is on analysis, design, and implementation but the tasks that use the skills are described as data modeling and implementation. It is important to note that not only does the emphasis vary among the clusters but also the application within the specific context. For example, the design tasks that an interactive digital media specialist performs may be quite different than that of a software engineer but each is using the underlying principles of design.

Because each element of the development cycle appears as a complete function in at least one of the career clusters, all the tasks recommended for each element are not listed here. Instead, a brief summary of each element is provided.

(*See the document, Building a Foundation for Tomorrow: Skill Standards for Information Technology, for the complete standard for each cluster.*)

• Analysis - gather data, evaluate requirements, define scope, prepare requirements, create preliminary design
• Design - select appropriate elements, identify constraints and components , and create prototypes
• Development - evaluate alternatives, choose an alternative, specify requirements, select methodology and tools, and develop models.
• Testing - develop and conduct a test plan, perform usability tests, track and resolve bugs, and assess product effectiveness.
• Implementation - develop implementation plan, review and validate the model, train users, and evaluate processes and outcomes.
• Documentation - Query existing knowledge base, record and update situation details, write solutions, and prepare summary.

Curriculum Recommendation:

1. All IT programs should incorporate outcomes and competencies that address development cycle.
2. The amount of emphasis on which elements of development cycle will vary depending on the nature of the IT program.
3. See the Model Curriculum section for sample learner program outcomes, key competencies, and performance indicators.