Software development methodologies are paramount in developing software solutions. A software development company that does custom development uses a lot of software development methodologies for their daily operations. Each of the software development methodologies have pros and cons.
Providing smooth development based on the requirements of a project is the main goal of all these software development methodologies. Let’s check out the top software development methodologies used today and why they exist.
Today’s Most Popular Software Development Methodologies
AGILE METHODOLOGY
Agile is a development methodology that’s used by software development company like – TatvaSoft.com to minimize risk, including bugs, cost overruns, and the evolving requirements when it comes to adding new functions. In the method, software is made in iterations containing the new functionalities mini-increments. The methodology was developed as a response to the rising frustrations with the Waterfall method, as well as other highly inflexible and structured methodologies.
The approach is designed to accommodate change and the need to create software faster. The methodology values people and their relationships and interactions over tools. Agile furthermore features customer collaboration all throughout the process of software development.
The Pros
The main benefit of agile software development is that it lets software be released in iterations. Iterative releases boost efficiency by enabling development teams to look for defects, fix them, and align expectations at the very start. The method also enables users to realize the benefits of software earlier, with frequent incremental enhancements.
The Cons
Since agile relies on real-time communication, new users often lack the needed documentation to get updated. They have to spend a great deal of time and is labor intensive since developers have to complete each feature completely within every iteration for user approval.
Rapid App Development
These days, rapid app development is one of the most popular methods in software development. It’s a condensed development process, which creates a system that’s of high quality with low investment. The RAD process enables developers to adjust to shifting requirements fast in a constantly changing market.
There are four phases to rapid application development, which include planning of requirements, user design, construction, and cutover. There is a repeat of the user design and construction phases until a user will confirm that the system meets all of the requirements.
Pros
The software development method is most effective for projects with objectives that are well-defined, as well as a user group that’s clearly defined, but also not computationally complicated. The methodology is also particularly useful for small to medium projects that are time-centric.
The Cons
RAD needs a stable team composition with a developer who is highly skilled, as well as users with deep knowledge regarding the application area. In a condensed timeline that requires approval after an easy construction phase, deep knowledge is important. Software development companies that don’t meet the requirements are not likely to benefit from this development methodology.
DevOps
DevOps is not only a development methodology; it is also a set of practices that supports the culture of an organization. It centers on organizational change, which improves collaboration between the departments responsible for various development life cycle segments, including development, QA, and operations.
The Pros
The methodology is focused on boosting the time to market, lowering the rate of failure of new releases, shortening lead time between fixes, and lessening disruption while maximizing reliability. DevOps organizations aim on automating continuous deployment to make sure that everything happens in a reliable and smooth manner. Software development service providers that use DevOps methods significantly benefit from reducing market time and boosting product quality, customer satisfaction, and employee efficiency and productivity.
The Cons
Even with all its benefits, there are also drawbacks to the DevOps methodology:
– There are industries with regulations that need extensive testing before a project could proceed to the operations stage.
– There are some customers that don’t want continuous system updates.
– If different departments use various environments, undetected problems could slip into production.
– There are some quality attributes that need human interaction that slows down delivery.
Waterfall
The Waterfall methodology is considered as the most traditional method. It’s a rigid linear model consisting of sequential phases, such as project requirements, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance that focuses on specific goals. Every phase should be 100 percent complete before the next phases could be started.
Usually, there’s no process for going back to modify the direction or the project. Waterfall requires a lot of documentation and structure up front.
The Pros
Waterfall’s linear nature makes it easy to manage and understand. Projects that have clear objectives and stable requirements could make the best of the waterfall methodology. Project teams and project managers who are less experienced, as well as those teams with frequent composition changes could benefit the most from this development methodology.
The Cons
The Waterfall development methodology often is costly and slow because of its tight controls and rigid structure. The drawbacks could lead the users to explore other software development methods.
Feature-Driven Development
FDD is an incremental and iterative software development approach that’s derived from the Agile methodology. The same as Waterfall, FDD typically is considered as an older method, a kind of precursor to contemporary agile/lean implementations. Furthermore, FDD focuses on the goal of frequent working software and is particularly a client-centered approach, which is perfect for smaller development teams.
The Pros
– Keeping track and reporting are easier with the feature-driven development methodology.
– Several teams simultaneously work and are likewise supported by the FDD methodology.
The Cons
– Not a suitable methodology for an individual software developer.
– Since there’s no documented evidence for the software delivered to clients in this manner, they could not use it for further development.
– High dependence on the main developer necessitates a person capable of becoming a lead designer, coordinator, and mentor.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a software development method, consider combining the elements of every method, which works best for the development team and the current project. This way, you will be able to build a hybrid methodology that gets you into production in an efficient and secure manner.
