Software projects go through different processes and phases before going live for the customers. This includes software design, development, and testing circumscribed around a specific framework methodology. The functional and economical success of the software projects depends on highly upon the type of workflow model selected for the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
SDLC is a planning process that defines the sequence of development phases. It suggests the best possible approach to implementing the workforce skill and time in an efficient and productive manner. And, depending upon the type of projects and organizational limitation, there are some popular models to give ground to your project. Let’s discuss them in detail.
Table of Contents
Waterfall Model:
Waterfall model is a simple, linear and progressive model that seems flowing downwards like a waterfall. It follows the sequence of phases that consist of requirement gathering and analysis, system design, implementation, integration and testing, deployment of system and maintenance respectively. Such type of model is suitable for the projects which do not entertain further changes in requirement and looking to save a significant amount of time.
Pros: Easy to understand, rigid, save time and provide effortless testing and analysis.
Cons: Not feasible for long term and maintenance project. No way to look back and forth to project milestones.
V-Shaped Model:
V-shaped is the extension of waterfall model and best known for its disciplined verification and validation structure. It resembles the execution of phases in V-shaped manner where each stage is associated with the testing phase. It is well suited for the projects where requirements are clear and the timeline is suitable for ongoing process testing.
Pros: Higher chances of project success with specific deliverable for each phase.
Cons: Inflexible, further adjustments are expensive and require more time to accomplish.
Evolutionary Prototyping Model:
This is one of the customer friendly methodologies. Here the focus is to limit the requirement gap by developing a prototype of the original software components. This will help to visualize the actual outcome of software and validate its functional potential to the customers. The sequence in this model goes like requirement identification, developing initial prototype, review of the prototype and, revise and enhance the prototype respectively. This model can be used with any methodology and suitable for the type of projects with more user intervention (like web development).
Pros: Reliable and projects the functional outcome of the actual software.
Cons: Excessive development time and prototype expense.
Spiral Method (SDM):
Spiral Method is a consolidation of waterfall and prototype model that utilizes their advantageous features strategically. It usually has four phases that start with the identification of business requirements and then proceed towards architectural and logical spiral designing. Afterward, it goes in iteration with construction and risk analysis. This type of model is recommended to the large, expensive and complex projects.
Pros: Low-risk factor and maintenance for larger projects. Allows adding up functionality at any stage of the development lifecycle.
Cons: Complicated and costly model with the large timeframe in Custom software development.
Iterative And Incremental Method:
It’s a feedback system that keeps a check and takes advantage of learning from the earlier phases of development. The basic structure of iterative model consists of several waterfall models that have been implemented on small portions of software at a time and develop complete system iteratively. It is a highly flexible model for new resources and technology and well suited for the modular projects that have separate components to be developed.
Pros: Provide early business value, entertain change request in between iteration and less error prone.
Cons: Lengthy documentation, more customer involvement and extra effort for integrating iterations.
Extreme Programming (Agile Development):
Agile is one of the most flexible and adaptable models recommended in the software industry. It is a reference method based upon which several popular models like Scrum, Extreme Programming, Dynamic system development etc. were designed. It minimizes the risk factor by developing software in small time iterations and allowing recurrent alteration. It is well suited for the projects with short deadlines and where it is required to undertake several software requirements.
Pros: Quality output with more resistant to defects, adaptive and provide early results.
Cons: Clear requirements, later documentation, and more skillful workforce.
Depending on the project requirement, you can choose a methodology that is best suited.
It’s an awesome collection of software development cycle and methodologies details and good thinking image also. keep i tup!
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Hey, just learned the entire process of software development life cycles. Especially, the waterfall and spiral models makes more sense. Thanks for the article.
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Good one! This is informative as per software development.
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Whenever entrepreneurs opt for custom software development, they should know various prominent models of SDLC. A well-written article in which all the proven methodologies are explained.
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