Warwick Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) is at the forefront of research and teaching in Plant and Environmental Sciences. Formed in 2004, Warwick HRI is the principal UK organisation tasked with carrying out horticultural research and development and then transferring the results to industry.
The challenge
Warwick HRI had produced a software modelling system called MORPH (methods of research practice in horticulture). Users enter crop details such as location, type and weather conditions. The application predicts potential crop growth and allows farmers to choose preferred times for applying treatments. The application was successful and Warwick HRI wanted to design an improved and more functional system that took advantage of modern tools and technologies.
Our actions
Objectivity created a wireframe prototype for a new MORPH system. Basic needs were captured by interviewing key users and examining the existing system. Use cases and UML2 were our chosen formats for requirements capture. Frequent reviews ensured the right level of detail; Objectivity performed the entire exercise in close and constant collaboration with the client. The design was optimised for a Java, the chosen development platform for the project.
The results
The formal requirements for the MORPH2 system were clear and simple, with Warwick HRI able to plan a strategic upgrade for their modelling application. The design provided the necessary technical detail to allow a relatively inexperienced development team to work from it.