5 Frequently Used Software Development Methodologies: Pros and Cons

5 Frequently Used Software Development Methodologies

Software development is a method of curating, evaluating, and sustaining application services and products that fulfil users’, clients’, and stakeholders’ expectations.

Software development methodologies are prototypes or structures that escort the development process, which describes the tech team’s execution, duties, activities, and output.

The vast software development industry is expected to reach a revenue of US$704.10 billion in 2024. The growth of the IT sector comes with the innovation of multiple frameworks for product building and the creation of numerous software development jobs. Each AI software development methodology has its own set of pros and cons.

What is Software Development Methodology?

This company process revolves around how the product will be created. Usually, all the steps are pre-defined for the cycle of software development. These methods are designed to improve and ease the development process. The methodologies allow the developers to choose one that perfectly aligns with the project’s needs. Organisations select the frameworks based on the following:

  • Need of their project or product.
  •  Layout of the project.
  •  Approach to deploying the software
  •  Maintaining the software or product.

Software development methodologies are also an improved way of communication among developers.

The blog will discuss the five frequently used software development methodologies, which are stated below:

  • Agile
  •  Waterfall
  • Scrum
  • DevOps
  • Kanban

Agile

The capability to move faster and more efficiently is the literal meaning of Agile. The main distinctive feature of Agile is the ability to detect change rapidly. This methodology is popular because it regards:

  •  Collaboration
  •  Flexibility
  • Customer satisfaction

Agile was developed to make changes quickly in the software.

ProsCons
Rapid deliveryRequires excellent expertise
Prioritise customer satisfactionNot compatible with complex and more extensive projects
Improved interaction between developersRequire extra resources for complex projects.
Accept changes in the final stages as well.Demands for the projects usually need to be more precise.
Improved adaptionIt is challenging to give estimated outcomes.

Waterfall

This is the most traditional approach but utilises sequential and incremental approaches. This software development methodology consists of six steps, which include:

  • Analysis
  • Design
  • Implementation
  • Testing
  • Deployment
  • Maintenance

The most attractive feature of the waterfall is that it does not require any changes after the step is complete.

ProsCons
Simple and easy frameworkRequires excellent expertise
Good for smaller projectsNot good with larger projects
Each step needs proper documentation.No interaction between the teams
Only one step at a timeProlong development process
Requirements are clearNot compatible with changing requirements

Scrum

This software development methodology is lightweight and designed to work for agile. Scrum is a sub-category of the agile framework, which includes nothing new but incremental and iterative technology.

This framework divides the software development cycle into fixed-duration iterations, called sprints, which usually last one week to four. Each sprint consists of four phases:

  • Planning: This phase initially sets the project’s goals.
  • Daily Scrum Meeting: The team gathers for 15 minutes daily and discusses the progress and difficulties.
  • Sprint Review: The team wires the clients’ deliveries in this phase. This usually involves a meeting of the Scrum team, the product owner, and the client.
  • Sprint Retrospective: This phase provides feedback on the last sprint and identifies required improvements.
ProsCons
Great for complex projectsDaily meetings disrupt the workflow.
Customer satisfaction is the goal.Changes are not allowed in sprints.
More focus on valueNot compatible with the predictable projects
Better for versatile projectsTime-Consuming
Adaptable 

DevOps

The combination of development and operations is called DevOps. Its purpose is to

  •  Increase communication
  •  Enhance collaboration between both teams,
  •  Improve the efficiency of workflow,
  • Frequent updates, and
  •  Quicker deliveries of the products to the clients.
ProsCons
Rapid delivery of the projectsNot cost-effective.
Good utilisation of the resourcesChallenging
Better customer satisfactionNo standardisation
Frequent updates and releasesTime-Consuming
Encourages collaborationNew methodology

Kanban

Kanban is a practical framework for organising projects and improving workflows. The word is of Japanese origin and translates into “card” or “visual signal.” This AI software development methodology is similar to the whiteboard methods used in the learning. In this, a dedicated board consists of cards representing the planning of the different stages of the development process.

The board is categorised into:

  • To do
  •  In progress
  • Review
  • Done
ProsCons
Easier ImplementationManaging projects is difficult due to cross-collaboration
Shows transparency for improvementsNot sure about the deliveries
Quicker adaption to required changesNot defined time thresholds
Better work policiesNo defined roles
Smooth workflowResponsibilities are not distributed.

Conclusion

Ecommerce and other websites require dedicated software development methodologies. Only one procedure is not feasible for different kinds of projects or developers. 

The blog discusses the five frequently used methodologies, including their pros and cons. Teams must review the frameworks and choose one that best suits their needs. When selecting software development methodologies, they must also consider difficulty, duration, size, scope, and client expectations.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *