System Reliability System reliability is usually an important factor in system
development. After all, who wants an unreliable system? However, reliability is just
one factor among several. For some applications, reliability is truly critical (e.g.,
medical equipment, missile control systems), while for other applications it is
merely important (e.g., games, Internet video). The V-model is useful when reliability
is important, due to its emphasis on testing. Throwaway prototyping is most
appropriate when system reliability is a high priority, because detailed analysis and
design phases are combined with the ability for the project team to test many different
approaches through design prototypes before completing the design. System
prototyping is generally not a good choice when reliability is critical, due to the
lack of careful analysis and design phases that are essential to dependable systems.