We believe that the activities in the left are required to face the challenges of modern software development.

Experimentation instead of Specification
Evolution instead of Implementation
Adaptation instead of Modification
Extension instead of Growth

Perhaps the activities in the right were once good enough, but they are not adequate to the new reality of building complex software systems.

Experimentation instead of Specification

Traditional software development focuses on the detailed specification of system requirements, functional and non-functional. Modern software development should allow the discovery of requirements through experimentation. For example, a Lean approach allows us to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) while delaying decisions until the Last Responsible Moment. Sound engineering practices are necessary to build flexible software platforms to support cost-effective experimentation.

Evolution instead of Implementation

Traditional software development focuses on the prioritized implementation of features according to the specified requirements. Modern software development should allow the constant evolution of the system’s functionality to meet the dynamically varying customer needs. For example, Domain Modeling allows us to capture the essential aspects of an application while enabling future specializations. Domain knowledge is necessary to define the central entities and relationships that will remain stable during the system’s evolution.

Adaptation instead of Modification

In traditional software development, code must be modified in order to meet changing requirements. Modern software development should allow the existing code base to be easily adapted to satisfy any change in requirements. For example, Frameworks allow us to have several alternative components that may be chosen according to current needs. The design of a good Framework should be such to eliminate completely the dependency on concrete components.

Extension instead of Growth

In traditional software development, the system must grow in order to accommodate additional requirements. Modern software development should allow the easy extension of the system’s functionality through modular features. For example, Plug-ins allow us to add new features to an existing application without increasing its size and complexity. The design of a good Plug-in should be such that does not expose details about the system being extended nor the Plug-in extending it.

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