Software development methodology is a process that provides a roadmap for planning, executing, and managing the development of software products. It helps involved members like software developers, system architects, and stakeholders to understand system behavior, functionality and structure. Several SDLC models have been developed over the years to achieve various objectives. Each of these models has specific stages or steps and a defined hierarchy of execution.
The choice of any specific methodology is based on the objective and goal of the project, the choice of software development model will directly affect the time to complete the project, quality of project and budget of the project.
Among the various software development methodologies used for building software, below are the top 5 popular software development models of all time:
- Waterfall Software Development Methodology
- Agile Software Development Methodology
- Scrum Software Development Methodology
- DevOps development methodology
- Rapid Application Development (RAD) Methodology
Waterfall Software Development Methodology
Popular software development approach of yesteryears, the waterfall development model follows an approach that moves like a waterfall, where no backward movement is possible. Things move in a sequential order. Waterfall is thus a rigid structure. It starts with the step of requirements and ends with maintenance. As stated, all the requirements need to be mentioned and elaborated on right at the start of the project, before the team moves to the next phase.
On completion of the development, the entire project is tested from the starting stage and in case any changes are required, it again starts from the first phase. Despite being an old approach, Waterfall methodology is well-suited for situations where there is more predictability like for government agencies that have stable requirements.
Advantages of Waterfall:
- The simplest methodology to explain to the users
- Follows a structured approach
- Well-defined stages that schedule the project well in advance
Disadvantages of Waterfall:
- Processes are very strict and stringent in the Waterfall method.
- Cannot proceed to the next step unless the previous one is completed, which usually increases the timeline
- Not very flexible and cost-effective methodology
Agile Software Development Methodology
Contrary to the Waterfall approach, where things follow a linear progression, Agile is the most popular software development model in the 21st century, it follows an iterative approach. After every iteration, stakeholders check if they are moving on the right track and bringing the desired features and functionalities. It is a philosophy that comprises different types of software development methods like feature-driven development. It is widely used to create software these days.
Agile development methodology thus follows the theory of incremental development and is best handling changing requirements. All the required changes are discussed with developers, project owners, and customers, and are addressed accordingly.
Engagement at every step is a must in agile methodology. The work is divided into a segment called sprints and each sprint is tested before moving to the next phase in order to be updated.
Advantages of Agile:
- One of the greatest benefits of agile is quick delivery of the working project
- Emphasis is on the collaboration of all involved in the project
- Direct communication with all and instant correction based on inputs
Disadvantages of Agile:
- Good for small businesses only
- Documentation is completed at later stages
- High dependency on customer interaction
Scrum Software Development Methodology
Scrum is a framework for software development projects. It falls under the agile philosophy and defines roles, procedures, tools, and processes to make sure to deliver an efficient and effective project well on time through iterative development cycles. It focuses on responsibility, teamwork, and iterative progress toward a well-defined business goal. 81% of teams today use Scrum due to the efficiency it offers in leading software projects.
Scrum is basically followed when there is a need for frequent adjustments and assists the project management team (product owner, project manager, business analysts, developers) needs to depict immense flexibility. With its features like time-boxed iterations, sprints (sprint review and sprint retrospective), product backlogs, Scrum aids in rapid incremental delivery and is best-suited for handling shifting requirements.
Advantages of Scrum:
- Transparent system pushes developers to comply with their assignments and deliver it on time
- Defined deadline at every step keep developers motivated and empowered at every step
- Feedback at every level of the project ensures that quality project is delivered in the end
Disadvantages of Scrum:
- Difficult to plan, structure and organize a project with no clear mission and vision
- Frequent changes in the project lead to a delay in the delivery time of the project
- Utilizes more resources and stakeholder’s involvement in every small detail change and discussion.
DevOps Development methodology
DevOps combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) and focuses on improving the collaboration and productivity by automating infrastructure, workflows, and continuously measuring application performance. Unlike traditional methods, DevOps emphasizes a culture of collaboration between development and operations teams throughout the software development lifecycle. Today, around 80% of organizations use DevOps in some form.
By integrating continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD), DevOps aims to deliver software more reliably and frequently. The approach involves automating the testing and deployment processes, which is why it is known to reduce the time from code commitment to deployment. DevOps is well suited in environments where rapid deployment and constant feedback are critical.
New DevOps offshoots such as DevSecOps, AIOps, CloudOps, GitOps, and ChatOps are emerging, combining various practices in DevOps. These new approaches when implemented improve efficiency of software development projects.
Advantages of DevOps:
- Accelerated delivery of applications and services
- Improved collaboration between development and operations teams
- Enhanced ability to address and resolve issues quickly
Disadvantages of DevOps:
- Requires a cultural shift in the organization
- Potential challenges in managing the necessary tools and technologies
- Initial setup can be complex and resource-intensive
Rapid Application Development Methodology
Rapid Application Development (RAD) emphasizes speed and flexibility by prioritizing rapid prototyping and quick feedback over lengthy development and testing cycles. The focus is on building a working prototype early in the development process using continuous user feedback and iterative refinement.
RAD is based on the idea of minimal upfront planning and divides development into small, manageable units that can be adjusted as requirements evolve. The requirements are gathered by conducting workshops and through focus groups to define the project scope. D
Rapid development then follows, where different modules are developed concurrently, often using reusable code. The modular approach speeds up the development process significantly. Integration of these modules happens continuously, with frequent testing by quality assurance (QA) team to identify and resolve issues promptly.
The final phase is cutover, comprising the implementation of a fully functional and user training. All these features make RAD one of the best software development methodologies for startups.
Advantages of Rapid Application Development:
- Prototyping and iterative development aid in quicker release of working software, reducing time-to-market.
- Accelerated app development as the iterative approach allows for quick adjustments based on user feedback and evolving requirements.
- By focusing on essential features and rapid prototyping, RAD significantly shortens development cycles and reduces costs.
Disadvantages of Rapid Application Development:
- High levels of user engagement are necessary for successful implementation, which can be demanding.
- Constantly evolving requirements increases the chances of scope creep and project delays.
- Not suitable for large-scale projects with complex requirements and the fast-paced nature makes it difficult to maintain consistent documentation.
Conclusion
The dynamic nature of software engineering methodologies require you to spend effort on continuous learning and adaptation, because each methodology is being updated to suit the needs of modern software development projects.
Agile is evolving with new frameworks like SAFe and Lean, while DevOps practices are expanding to include more automation, advanced CI/CD pipelines and security, giving way to practices like DevSecOps. Even traditional methodologies like Waterfall are being refined to better suit modern project requirements.
Staying current with these changes is essential for any development team striving for excellence. Regularly updating skills and knowledge is the key to remain competitive and effective in building high-quality software applications. Encountering any challenges, always consider partnering with a honed software development company.
