Dynamic systems development method

Dynamic systems development method (DSDM) is an agile project delivery framework, primarily used as a software development method.^[1][2] First released in 1994, DSDM originally sought to provide some discipline to the rapid application development (RAD) method.^[3] In 2007 DSDM became a generic approach to project management and solution delivery^{[clarification needed][citation needed]}. DSDM is an iterative and incremental approach that embraces principles of Agile development, including continuous user/customer involvement.

DSDM fixes cost, quality and time at the outset and uses the MoSCoW prioritisation of scope into musts, shoulds, coulds and won’t haves to adjust the project deliverable to meet the stated time constraint. DSDM is one of a number of Agile methods for developing software and non-IT solutions, and it forms a part of the Agile Alliance.

In 2007, DSDM was rebranded ‘DSDM Atern’.^[4][5] The name Atern was a shortening of Arctic tern – a collaborative bird^{[citation needed]} that can travel vast distances and epitomises many facets of the method which are natural ways of working e.g. prioritisation and collaboration.

In 2014, DSDM dropped the branding ‘Atern’ and reverted to its original name in the latest version of the method in the ‘DSDM Agile Project Framework’. At the same time the new DSDM manual recognised the need to operate alongside other frameworks for service delivery (esp. ITIL) PRINCE2, Managing Successful Programmes, and PMI-BOK.^[6] The previous version (DSDM 4.2) had only contained guidance on how to use DSDM with Extreme Programming.