10 Top Software Development Methodologies

Are you a software development company looking to lower costs, boost efficiency, and develop effective software products? If yes, read on.

Top Software Development Methodologies

It's no secret that picking the right software development methodology can help you do these things. There are numerous software development processes utlised that offer different ways to attain the desired result within a limited time.

In this article, we are going to define and evaluate the top 10 methodologies that the majority of the companies are using to develop a custom enterprise software solution. Once you know about the top procedures, you can pick the one that works best for your business.

What is a Software Development Methodology?

A software development methodology consists of structural processes that define how the software development company creates new software products. This methodology provides a platform for software developers to work together as a team.

Top 10 Software Development Methodologies

1. Agile Methodology

Agile development is the most popular software development methodology. This methodology is a conceptual framework to embark software project. Its primary objective is to minimize the risk by creating software in a short span. The agile software development methodology is specially designed to meet the emerging needs of today's world by incremental development. This type of software development helps in creating software with a limited or no risk of bugs.

2. Black Box Testing

Black Box Testing Method is also known as Behavioural Testing. This software testing method helps in finding the error for incorrect functions, performance errors, and termination errors. The primary goal of the black box testing method is on the functionality of the system. Black box testing is of two types i.e. functional and non-functional. This testing methodology is effective for complex applications. It usually finds errors at an early stage of testing.

3. Waterfall Software Development Methodology

Created by Dr. Winston W. Royce in 1970, the waterfall model is the most popular software development methodology. This approach is linear and consists of numerous stages such as requirements, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance.

As this methodology is easy to understand, it is popular for teams with limited experience in software design. Same as a waterfall flowing in one direction; you can't go back in this approach. Undoubtedly, this approach is non-flexible.

4. White Box Testing

White Box Testing is also known as glass box testing and is the opposite of black-box testing. This software development methodology requires the tester to have enough knowledge of programming. In this approach, the tester needs to choose inputs and determines the outputs.

This testing method is easily automated and helps in optimizing the code. But, it is a complex method and quite time-consuming for large software applications.

5. Scrum Development Methodology

Scrum Development Methodology is an iterative software development framework to manage the development of products. In this approach, a software development team works as a unit so this methodology is flexible. Scrum software development methodology follows an evidence-based empirical approach.

This methodology is suitable for smaller software projects.. This software development method is specially designed for teams having three to nine members to finish the project in just two weeks.

6. Prototyping Model

The prototyping model is one of the most popular SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) models. This model is suitable when project requirements are explained in detail before starting the project. The prototyping model has two types i.e. rapid throw-away prototyping and evolutionary prototyping.

Rapid throw-away prototyping involves exploring ideas and getting customer feedback. The evolutionary prototyping is incrementally refined based on customer feedback.

7. Rapid Application Development Model

The rapid software development methodology is similar to rapid prototyping. Numerous phrases are involved in this model including data modeling, business modeling, application generation, process modeling, testing, and turnover. This methodology provides quick and high-quality results. The primary objective is to enhance the software development process through active user participation.

8. Feature-Driven Development

The feature-driven development methodology is suitable for large teams working on object-oriented technology. This method blends numerous software development practices into a single unit. The primary objective of this process is to organize software development around its features and develop products faster. This approach doesn't work for smaller teams because of its complexity.

9. Rational Unified Process Methodology

This approach divides the software development process into four phases including analysis, design, implementation, and testing. Its lifecycle consists of important phases such as inception, elaboration, construction, and transition. The primary objective of this methodology is to get desired results in a limited time with the help of other popular software development methodologies.

10. Lean Software Development Methodology

The lean software development methodology is specially designed to create software solutions that are easy to modify. This approach is flexible and focuses on creating software within a limited budget. This approach follows the core Agile Manifesto principle. Software developers can deliver more functionalities in a short period of time leveraging lean methodology.

Final Words

Software development methodology provides an intuitive approach for developing software products. Choosing the right approach depends on your project requirements, budget, experience, and goals.