The V-Modell® XT describes a sequential yet flexible process model for the planning and implementation of system development projects in the public sector in Germany, albeit specifically in field of defense. V-Modell® XT is the development standard for public IT system development projects in the Federal Republic of Germany.
V-Modell® XT covers various project types and fundamental aspects such as project management, quality assurance, configuration management, tenders and contract placement. As such, it is aimed at both contractors and public contracting authorities.
The basic premise of this model is that it does not mandate a strict sequence of developmental steps. Instead, V-Modell® XT defines fixed roles, activities and results – referred to in the model as “products”. The established interaction and unambiguous definition of terms improves communication between the project partners. This yields a high degree of project transparency and risk minimisation.
The process of software development is divided into firmly defined phases, which are simultaneously accompanied by test phases. This way, V-Modell® XT ensures that not only the overall system is validated, but its individual components as well, and that quality is assured.
Even though V-Modell® XT defines mandatory structures, it can be adapted to the organisation-specific needs of the contractor. In the process, the focus of development is on achieving the products. This way, it does not stand in the way of agile or incremental development methods, for example.