For the successful development of a software product with stable performance and high security, various methods are used. At the moment, there is a great variety of software development techniques, and it is difficult for a beginner to choose the best approach. Therefore, we have prepared an overview of the most common software development methodologies.

What is a Software Engineering Methodology?

A software engineering methodology is a system that defines the order the tasks are performed, determines the methods of monitoring and evaluation. There are different software development models and depending on the project budget, release timing, as well as the personal preferences of the experts and the team leader, a specific model is chosen.

6 Popular Software Development Methodologies

Each of the software development practices has its own merits and demerits. We have prepared an overview of 6 main types of software development approaches. Check them out and choose the one that best suits your business goals.

1. Waterfall

This model implies the sequential implementation of the various stages of the development process. Developers move from one phase to another only after the previous phase has been fully completed.

Pros

• The timing and budget of the project are clearly identified;
• Suitable for beginners as it facilitates the development process;
• Great for small-scale projects.

Cons

• Not suitable for innovative projects;
• Making changes to a project is not easy.

2. Agile

The development process is divided into short cycles (sprints). The main principle of this methodology is communication, which allows developers to minimize risks and promptly make the necessary changes.

Pros

• Repeated testing minimizes the risk of errors;
• Customer and developer engagement is high.

Cons

• Testing takes a long time;
• There is no strict development framework, so the release of the final version of the product may be delayed.

3. Feature-Driven Development

This is an iterative agile model that ensures the development of the right software with the right feature set within a given time frame. Each product function has a planning and implementation phase.

Pros

• Great for large-scale projects;
• Makes it easier to fix bugs, since work on a large project can be divided into several parts.

Cons

• Not suitable for small projects;
• Depends heavily on the main software engineer.

4. Lean Development

The goal of this model is high-quality and fast product development. With the help of this approach, problem areas of the process are identified, and a well-functioning system is created.

Pros

• Increases the product release rate;
• Great for small projects.

Cons

• Requires the involvement of highly qualified specialists;
• Strong documentation is needed.

5. Rapid Application Development

The main goal of this approach is to deliver high-quality software products in a short time.

Pros

• High adaptability and flexibility;
• Provides a fast release of the product.

Cons

• Not suitable for low budget projects;
• Product feature change is difficult to implement.

6. DevOps Methodology

The development and operations teams work in sync to build the product, ensure reliable and fast product testing and release.

Pros

• Requires little development time;
• Provides fast bug fixes.

Cons

• It is time-consuming and costly;
• Requires well-coordinated teamwork.

Summing Up

So, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, each approach has its pros and cons. Before choosing the best development methodology, consider the project objectives, its scope, budget, and key product characteristics.