1. Describe the pros and cons of the UP approach versus XP and Scrum development approaches to upgrading the existing systems or developing new ones. Do the pros and cons change if the systems are replaced instead of upgraded? Do the pros and cons vary by system? If so, should different development approaches be used for each system?

2. Is component-based development a viable development approach for any of the systems? If so, identify the system(s) and suggest tools that might be appropriate. For each tool suggested, identify the types of requirements likely to be sacrificed because of a poor match to tool capabilities.

3. Assume that all systems will be replaced with custom developed software. Will an object framework be valuable for implementing the replacements? Is an application specific framework likely to be available from a third party? Why or why not?

4. Assume that all systems will be replaced with custom developed software. Should MPS actively pursue component based design and development? Why or why not? Does MPS have sufficient skills and infrastructure to implement a component-based system? If not, what skills and infrastructure are lacking?

Midwestern Power Services (MPS) provides natural gas and electricity to customers in four Midwestern states. Like most power utilities, over the last several years, MPS has seen significant changes in federal and state regulations. Several years ago, federal deregulation opened the floodgates of change but provided little guidance or restriction on the future shape of the industry. State legislatures also changed their laws and regulations significantly. The industry went through tremendous upheaval, with significant problems created by power shortages at several California power companies and the Enron debacle. Now regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are changing the scenario again. These new regulations seriously affect all areas of business, including accounting, record keeping, power purchases, distribution agreements, and customer consumption and billing.