As businesses are becoming more and more competitive, the need for robust and feature-rich software is arising. Developers are required to offer software capable of catering to the organisation’s and their client’s problems and deliver them as fast as possible. Developers usually use a development strategy, also known as a development methodology to create budget-friendly software in less time.
There are several software development models & methodologies to choose from, but which one is the best? Which software development methodologies do the top developers prefer in 2024? These are the questions that we are going to answer in this blog, so if you are planning to get software for your business, read along.
What Are Software Development Methodologies?
Software development methodologies are a crucial part of software development services. They are a set of workflow techniques and instructions on how the development process should be. Development methodologies dictate how and what the day-to-day operations of a software development company should be.
There are several software development methodology types. Each development methodology is different and unique in some way, providing a certain advantage over their peers. Each development company follows a specific development methodology and has its unique advantages and disadvantages. However, the goal of every development methodology is the same, which is to provide structure to development teams.
Leading Software Development Methodologies You Must Know
1. Agile Software Development
The Agile methodology is well-known for its constant alterations theme. Under the Agile development method, the development process is divided into smaller sections called sprints.
After each sprint, the developers take feedback from the client and make the necessary changes. This helps to fix bugs, stay up to date with trends, and avoid mistakes that can be time-consuming to solve later. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Agile methodology, you can refer to our blog, The Benefits of Using Agile Methodology in Software Development.
2. Waterfall Development Methodology
The waterfall methodology is the antithesis of the Agile development methodology, being strict and linear. Under this method, each stage of development must be completed before moving on to the next.
It is the traditional method of development and is the simplest of them all. However, it also has a longer delivery time than Agile methodology and changes can not be made as frequently.
3. DevOps Methodology
The DevOps Methodology is gaining immense popularity among developers due to the sheer number of benefits it offers to its users. Using DevOps methodology can ensure smooth and efficient development and delivery process.
Rapid Deliveries Microservices and Continuous Delivery help businesses to continuously update their software. If you are looking for an experienced developing company to outsource your software project, Siddhatech is a leading DevOps consulting company in India, that can offer reliable software solutions.
4. Scrum Development Methodology
The Scrum software development method is widely used by developers and development companies due to its ease of implementation and effectiveness. It is very versatile and can be applied to any type of project. Scrum development methodology divides the development tasks into sprints and each sprint is discussed once finished to avoid miscommunication and errors.
Scrum methodology is great for fast-moving projects and cutting-edge developments. However, one drawback is that the cost and time required for the project might be uncertain until the project is finished. This makes setting a deadline on projects next to impossible.
5. Prototype Methodology
The prototype methodology is a modified version of the waterfall software methodologies. One key difference is the focus on the client’s initial feedback. The development team create a few prototypes and only after the client passes the functions and viability of the samples, does the development process start.
Under this development method, the clients can understand the UI/UX of the software when the project is still in the prototype stage. This allows for better control and communication. The methodology is also highly flexible and involves the client during the development process to effectively detect errors and issues and reduce time and cost.
6. Feature Driven Development
Feature-driven software development approaches are great for organising various teams in a large organisation working on a single project. This type of development methodology is an iterative approach. It is best suited for large and ongoing projects that can be scaled.
The main focus of this process is to develop one process at a time so that the feature is delivered in a shorter time and is of better quality. The features are based on user opinions, ensuring the software’s viability.
7. Rapid Application Development (RAD)
As the name suggests, RAD provides a much faster development process without compromising on the software quality. This method has a very short development cycle, consisting of planning, prototyping, construction, testing, and cutover.
The client is required and even incentivised to provide rapid feedback to ensure constant improvements. This method requires a strong team with expert developers to collaborate efficiently. Also, the cost of development is generally higher when using the RAD model.
8. Dynamic Systems Development Model
The dynamic system development model is based on the Rapid Application Development methodology. It puts emphasis on end-user involvement via iterative and incremental approaches. The primary goal of this methodology is to provide quality software within the deadline and under budget.
The DSDM is a relatively new model and is not used as much as other methodologies. Also, the developers using this approach must be highly trained, which in turn raises the final cost.
9. Extreme Programming (EX) Methodology
Extreme programming is a modification of agile methodology, which is used to create software in unstable environments. The EX methodology aims at reducing the cost at the initial stages of development. However, if the requirements are changed at a later stage, the cost can be too high.
The main benefit of the methodology is that it can be used to get a project off the ground within less time and at a lower cost. The biggest drawback is that the EX method is more focused on the code rather than design, which is good for stability but bad for UX.
10. Joint Application Development (JAD) Methodology
The JAD methodology requires an intense discussion between the end-user, client, and developer to finalise the features and design. Multiple sessions of the meeting between all the parties is crucial for an efficient software development process.
The collaboration between the developers, the client, and the users lowers the risk for all parties involved. The errors and bugs are solved easily and in time to avoid any problems during the release stage. This also helps to improve the quality of the software.
11. Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
Adaptive software development is a subset of Agile development methodology and a direct outgrowth of RAD. Under this development approach, developers intend to quickly adapt to the required client changes and trends.
The focus of the ASD methodology is the end-user, which can help to create robust software. Being built on Agile principles facilitates the timely completion of projects. One possible drawback is that it requires constant user involvement, which is not viable.
12. Spiral model
The spiral model operates on the principle of eliminating risk at an early stage of development. Developers identify the various risks associated with the project and ensure they are eliminated before getting to the next stage. This combines the waterfall approach with iterative development.
This is suited for high-risk projects where the requirements are subject to change. In turn, this method of development can be costlier. This method should not be used for low-risk projects, as it will be very inefficient.
13. Kanban
Kanban is one of the most popular and effective methodologies in software development today and probably will be for the next decade. It is a project management framework for implementing agile and DevOps development.
The highlight of this method is its focus on identifying and solving problems, thus reducing waste of resources and cost. Kanban methodology requires effective communication between the team and complete project transparency.
14. Incremental Model
Under the Incremental approach, the project is divided into phases, known as incrementals. The development process is carried out in phases, and the function of each phase is built on the previous. The important features are developed first and function similarly to the waterfall method.
During the development life cycle, each version of the software is delivered to the client for review and feedback. This differentiates it from the waterfall development method, by improving the collaboration and quality of the final product.
15. Lean software development Model
Based on the lean manufacturing principles by Toyota, this methodology aims at reducing cost and time for developing any function. This model focuses on eliminating any unnecessary and low-productivity tasks to prioritise the most important tasks.
The early elimination of low-productivity tasks improves efficiency. This style of project management is best suited for high-priority, low-budget projects. One drawback of this method is that it requires highly skilled developers and project managers to implement properly.
Conclusion
As we can see, there are various types of methodologies in software development, each with its unique advantages and drawbacks. All of the above mentioned methods can be implemented for different projects depending on the nature and requirements of the project. If you want your project to be handled effectively and completed under the deadline and budget, it is best to outsource to a dedicated software development company.
Siddhatech is a software development company in Pune, with 17+ years of experience in providing high-quality software solutions. We implement the most suitable software development model for your project to ensure the smooth completion of your projects. Contact our team today to further discuss any questions or queries you may have.
FAQs
Each software development methodology is unique in its own way. Every methodology has some advantage over the other which makes them the best-suited choice for a particular type of project.
The waterfall methodology is a traditional approach for software development; hence, it is the one most commonly used. However, if we only focus on organisations that use modern methodologies, Agile is the most popular methodology for developing software.
There are several approaches to software development. We cannot definitively say how many exist in total, as new methodologies are always being developed.