04-01-2013, 02:29 PM
Information Technology Standards (GO-ITS)
Information Technology Standards.pdf (Size: 206.63 KB / Downloads: 47)
Introduction
Background
Application development refers to a software development process used by an application developer to build application systems. This process is commonly known as the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) methodology and encompasses all activities to develop an application system and put it into production, including requirements gathering, analysis, design, construction, implementation, and maintenance stages. Examples of the SDLC methodology include e.g., waterfall, iterative, rapid, spiral, RAD, Xtreme and many more.
A SDLC is a well-defined, disciplined, and standard approach used in developing applications which provides:
a methodical approach to solving business and information technology problems
a means of managing, directing, monitoring and controlling the process of application/software building, including:
a description of the process - steps to be followed
deliverables - reports/programs/documentation/etc
Benefits of using a SDLC methodology include:
Has a proven framework
Consistency and uniformity - methods and functions
Results/Deliverables
Facilitates information exchange
Defines and focuses on roles and responsibilities
Has a predefined level of precision to facilitate a complete, correct and predictable solution.
Enforces planning and control
The intent of this GO-ITS 54 document is to describe the standards, which apply when developing applications in the Ontario Public Services (OPS). This document is not intended to be an 'all-inclusive' methodology to application development or software development lifecycle but rather will focus on and outline specific standards that must be followed when building applications. As with any standards document, the Application Development Standards (ADS) document will evolve over time, largely based on contributions from development teams. The ADS document is directed at application developers who will be designing, developing, and maintaining applications for their Clusters/Ministries. This includes external contractors, consultants, and business partners, as well as Ontario Government employees.
This GO-ITS 54 standard was developed in consultation with various stakeholder groups and was sponsored by the Information Technology Standards Council (ITSC) and the Corporate Architecture Branch (CAB) within the Office of the Corporate Chief Technology Officer (OCCTO).
GO-ITS 54 Status: Approved Version 1.0
Purpose
This document interprets current industry standards and recommends an application development standard for adoption in the Ontario Public Sector (OPS) for the software/application development lifecycle, consistent with OPS enterprise architecture standards (in particular, compliance with the enterprise architecture checklist), principles, and best practices.
The application development standard will provide:
Adequate Application Development Standards for all stages of the application development process
Minimum requirements for application development activities, deliverables and acceptance sign-off
A general measure for ensuring the application development methodology is in compliance with the application development standard.
Scope
In Scope
The application development standard will highlight key characteristics of a software development lifecycle methodology and provide guidance for a generic:
Waterfall development; and
Iterative development.
Where applicable, adoption of industry standards methodologies will be recommended and referenced.
Out of Scope
The development or selection of a full SDLC methodology or other
processes is out of scope:
Rational Unified Process, Enterprise Unified Process
Agile Methodology
Xtreme Programming
OPS Gating Process
Enterprise Architecture Process and Methods
Project Management Processes
Standards not covered
Though a large number of detailed standards exist, there are still areas not covered by this standard. One reason for this is to remain sufficiently generic so that each cluster can use new techniques and tools, while still maintaining conformance.
Programming Standards
Clusters are expected to maintain standards for the development of the application/software source code. Their purpose is to increase application/software quality, by proper commenting, - 4 -
GO-ITS 54 Status: Approved Version 1.0
limiting module complexity, systematic naming conventions, and other techniques. Such standards are often dependent on the choice of programming language.
Design Standards
Clusters will also benefit from design standards. These can help ensure that consistent techniques are used, e.g. in conjunction with object-oriented design methods. Guiding principles, such as encapsulation and information hiding, may be defined, and checklists may be developed for use in the design reviews.
Applicability statements
Government of Ontario IT Standards and Enterprise Products apply (are mandatory) for use by all ministries/clusters and to all former Schedule I and IV provincial government agencies under their present classification (Advisory, Regulatory, Adjudicative, Operational Service, Operational Enterprise, Trust or Crown Foundation) according to the current agency classification system.
Kindly refer to
Establishment&Accountability-Dir.pdf for a list of provincial government agencies with their classification under the current classification system, as well as their previous Schedule under the former Schedule system.
Additionally, this applies to any other new or existing agencies designated by Management Board of Cabinet as being subject to such publications, i.e. the GO-ITS publications and enterprise products - and particularly applies to Advisory, Regulatory, and Adjudicative Agencies (see also procurement link, OPS paragraph). Further included is any agency which, under the terms of its Memorandum of Understanding with its responsible Minister, is required to satisfy the mandatory requirements set out in any of the Management Board of Cabinet Directives (cf. Operational Service, Operational Enterprise, Trust, or Crown Foundation Agencies).