The software development methodology is a process followed by programmers and software engineers to help them with custom software development projects.
Each approach has its advantages and drawbacks, and you should perform thorough research before opting for one that suits your organisation or team.
According to Statista, nearly 36% of respondents used the DevOps method to build software.
Here is an overview of the most commonly used software development methodologies. So, let’s start exploring.
Popular Software Development Methodologies
|1. DevOps
DevOps means “Development + Operations”. It represents two different departments that usually world individually.
As a development methodology, DevOps focuses on generating smooth interaction among these traditionally distributed teams during the entire software development process.
Merging their practices can improve efficiency, enable quick software development, and enhance product quality.
|2. Agile
Agile methodology provides high adaptability and flexibility. Both are valuable aspects of the project’s success.
Teams that follow the Agile approach split lengthy tasks into smaller “Sprints”. It can be accomplished within one to four weeks. With the development progress, teams perform quality testing frequently to understand crucial iterations.
Developers repeatedly take feedback and suggestions from clients for software improvement throughout the various development phases.
|3. Kanban
Kanban is an agile framework that offers more efficiency and flawless collaboration. With Kanban, developers can organise and execute software development tasks. This approach is a means to visually discover and resolve issues as they take place.
The significant aspect of this methodology is the Kanban board. It has columns indicating various phases in the life cycle of a mentioned goal like coding, code revisions, and code review.
As team members finish a phase, they shift the goal into the next column. This visual image focuses on backlogs in workflow and allows adjustment. When specified goals get stuck in a single column, the team “Swarm” the backlog to resolve the issue.
|4. Waterfall
The waterfall approach is one of the most traditional development methodologies that comprises a series of phases accomplished progressively. From conception to development, execution, and maintenance, each stage must be concluded before moving toward the next.
In many scenarios, there is a lack of a standard mechanism to return to a previous phase to change the project or direction. Generally, the deliverables and scope decided in the research, and design stages are given a definite frame in the upcoming phases.
It is a feasible approach for projects with clear and constant requirements.
|5. Lean
The lean methodology is another framework of the Agile approach that aims to mitigate waste in each phase of the software development process. The waste generates through useless features, bloated code, unclearly expressed needs, miscommunications, quality concerns, and repeated efforts.
To resolve these, Lean teams add paired programming and test-driven development. It also focuses on constant improvement and quick product delivery.
Lean has concepts like postponing significant decisions to keep the team’s options open as the project progresses. Another crucial aspect is respect for the developers’ independence. Instead of forcing teams to follow top-down direction, Lean leaders let the developers build their own solutions.
|6. Extreme Programming
XP (Extreme programming) focuses on the continuous release of software versions within a short time, enabling developers to incorporate evolving requirements as needed with every version.
This approach depends on constant feedback and transparent interaction with the customer to build software according to their needs.
XP is an iterative approach and ensures all the development team members are attentive to the project objectives and align their efforts.
|7. Spiral
The spiral software development model is highly sophisticated. It functions by the early discovery and mitigation of project risks.
Starting on a small scale, it comprises risk analysis and provides plans to mitigate such risks. It then shows the next level of spiral iteration if it starts.
Unlike the waterfall approach, the spiral methodology lets the developers modify the code/design even in the testing phase. It suits most projects but needs powerful management.
|8. FDD – Feature Driven Development
FDD is an iterative approach but combines object modelling. It is suitable for large team projects.
The initial step in this approach is evaluating the system scope. The next is building domain models thoroughly for each feature/functionality, and then the system scope is analysed all over again. The combination of all the domain models results in an overall single model.
Software development using this approach has different steps like complete model development, features listing, planning, designing, and development by features.
|9. RAD- Rapid Application Development
As its name depicts, this approach provides quick outcomes with superior quality. This model is complemented by the active users’ participation in the development.
Software building is quick and of excellent quality by using focus groups to collect requirements, prototyping, user testing, software components reuse, frequent reviews, and informal interactions.
RAD is not suitable for projects with low budgets. It is advantageous to projects that have systems designs fitting into modules. It requires a solid team to discover, understand, and create clients’ requirements.
|10. JAD – Joint Application Development
This approach is proper for business software solutions. However, developers can use it for all kinds of projects.
The design and development phase of software comprises interactive workshop sessions. In these workshops, the system is defined by the software engineers and end-user/clients.
With a focus on user stories and use cases, it is a widely accepted approach to automating a growing business. Because of the user involvement in each production phase, it is a popular model for excellent client satisfaction.
In a Nutshell
Software development methodologies/software development life cycle offers a structure for software engineers and designers to interact and facilitate productive teamwork. It defines how data/information gets exchanged among team members.
The choice of the most suitable approach depends on your goals, team requirements, project nature, and team structure. An organisation can also implement various methods for different projects.
So make a choice wisely and improve the software development process to a great extent.