Sorenson: No Long 'Lifecycle' Approach For Mobile Apps

I had a sinking feeling last week when reporting the Army wants to formalize development of mobile applications for smart phones. Given that this is something a 12-year-old can do in a couple of hours, I was especially concerned by a phrase in the Army's request for information indicating the service wants to build the applications through its "lifecycle" process. A lifecycle approach usually means years, not hours, of development.

Not to worry, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson, the Army's chief information officer, told me Wednesday at the Association of the United States Army conference. He said the service has no intention of doing the traditional lifecycle thing with mobile apps.

Now, if only the entire Defense Department can figure out how to apply the lessons learned from development of commercial mobile apps to software projects.