In computing, the Chaos model is a structure of software development that extends the spiral model and waterfall model. The chaos model was defined by Raccoon.

The chaos model notes that the phases of the life cycle apply to all levels of a projects, from the whole project to individual lines of code.

  • The whole project must by defined, implemented, and integrated.
  • Systems must by defined, implemented, and integrated.
  • Modules must be defined, implemented, and integrated.
  • Functions must be defined, implemented, and integrated.
  • Lines of code are defined, implemented and integrated.

There are several tie-ins with chaos theory.

  • The chaos model may help explain why software is so unpredictable.
  • It explains why high-level concepts like architecture cannot be treated independently of low-level lines of code.
  • It provides a hook for explaining what do next, in terms of the chaos strategy.