Structured Rigor - Casual Rigor - Degree of Rigor

The degree of rigor can also be categorized as Casual, Structured, Strict, or Quick Reaction. It can be decided based on project type, which kind of degree of rigor we need to use or apply. There are different type of projects such as Conceptual project or Proof of concept, New Development Project, Enhancement project , Maintenance project or re-engineering project. There are various factors involve which help to identify which degree of rigor will apply e.g. time, cost, efforts, complexity of project etc.

Types of Rigor in Software Engineering

• Casual rigor
• Structured rigor
• Strict rigor
• Quick Reaction

The following paragraphs elaborate each one of these.

Casual Rigor

Casual rigor is the minimum degree of rigor use or apply. Although we use less of minimum efforts in this degree but the Basic Software Engineering principles fully applied. Apart from that we try to reduce documentation tasks and reduce umbrella tasks as well. All process framework activities are also apply but only minimum task set use during the Casual degree of rigor

In short , Basic Software Engineering principles are followed, All process framework activities are applied, but only a minimum task set is required. It requires reduced umbrella tasks and reduced documentation.

It can be used with projects which are small, short or with less complexity, hence we take existing framework, process and approach and re-define, re-frame  it with less or minimum task sets.

 

Structured Rigor

In the Structured rigor the complete process framework applied. It means complete software engineering framework, all umbrella activities and related tasks completely applied. The main or major focus is the quality of the software hence the all major circumstances such as Software Quality Assurance (SQA), Software configuration Management (SCM)  , Documentation are also conducted in a stream line manner.

In other words, a complete process framework , Appropriate framework activities, related tasks, and
umbrella activities  are also applied. SQA, SCM, documentation, and measurement
are also applied to ensure the high quality of the software product.

Apart from that there are two more type of degree of rigor which are Strict and Quick Reaction. 

Strict Rigor

In Strict degree of rigor all Process, Activities and framework applied, all measure taken with complete documentation. It is use with high quality and complex projects.

Quick Reaction

The quick reaction degree apply for the projects where we need to take quick action due to any emergency or urgency , in this case the main focus is the resolution of the emergency or urgency and then we focus the documentation and other tasks. This type of degree should not occur many times and if it happens again and again, it shows we are not using software engineering practices in proper manner.