DSDM: The dynamic systems development method

The Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) is an agile project management framework that originated in 1994 as a disciplined approach to software development and has since evolved to suit both technical and non-technical projects. DSDM emphasizes collaboration among stakeholders, iterative and incremental development, and a firm foundation for managing projects to align with business objectives. It is distinguished by its structured phases, including pre-project, project lifecycle, and post-project review, ensuring that projects are effectively planned, executed, and evaluated. DSDM is compared to other agile methodologies such as Scrum and RAD, highlighting its unique focus on stakeholder collaboration and structured stages. Core principles like focusing on business needs, delivering on time, and maintaining quality guide its application, making it suitable for diverse applications, from small software projects to large-scale commercial processes. Notable implementations include the University of Saint Andrews and the UK Government's Highways Agency, which demonstrate DSDM's effectiveness in adapting to changing needs and integrating with methodologies like PRINCE2.