The main enterprise software development methodologies

Software development methodologies provide a framework to control the entire process, from inception to completion. Companies are often interested in custom software that can uniquely meet their business needs and objectives. Other benefits associated with custom software include:

• Improved scalability
• Rapid development
• Endless customization and exclusive features
• Long-term cost savings

Software development methodologies help companies reduce common development pitfalls while delivering an excellent product. The expectation is to reduce disorganization, inefficiencies and missed deadlines through the implementation of a structured methodology.

Each company must determine the exact organizational, technical, and project parameters to consider when selecting a methodology. A company may choose to develop in-house or work with an outsourced software development team to free up internal resources for other projects.

The Agile development methodology has reigned supreme for years, but it is neither the first nor the only methodology available. There are excellent software development methodologies outside of Agile, including waterfall, V-shaped, dynamic, and prototyping systems.

The most popular software development methodologies for businesses

Waterfall Methodology

The waterfall methodology is the classic software development methodology, originating in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The waterfall model approaches development in a linear sequence, divided into specific phases. Careful planning and product analysis can save significant time and money. However, if a project is not well outlined beforehand, the developed code sections may need to be discarded.

The 5 phases of the Waterfall Methodology :

• System and software requirements – The system and software requirements phase can take up to 40% of the total project schedule. Project managers will determine projected costs, associated risks, success metrics, and more.
• Design – By deciding the system and software requirements, the design phase can begin. During this phase, developers determine the best logical design for the system architecture.
• Coding and Implementation – This is the first concrete phase in which the software will begin to come to life. The company will continue to evaluate design options as progress continues to ensure the finished project meets your unique software needs.
• Testing – With coding and implementation complete, functional units undergo rigorous testing for full functionality. Each unit must meet the expectations outlined in the first and second phases. Unit testing is an essential step in developing a secure and stable software application.
• Deployment and Implementation – Now that the software application is functional and has been thoroughly tested, the product is available for use. The best development teams work to release new features and security updates regularly.

Agile Methodology

Agile dominates the software development landscape, although it was only created in 2001. The unique feature of the Agile methodology is iteration. Iterative development produces software solutions quickly and with high quality. Agile has diversified into frameworks and management methods, namely Scrum and Kanban. This methodology values ​​above all responsiveness, customer collaboration and the development of functional software.

Agile methodology depends on the belief that a stronger product emerges by working in small, quick increments. Agile teams can respond quickly to changing requirements and plans. The agile methodology strongly recommends daily meetings. The daily scrum, also called the daily scrum, is a brief team meeting where team members will inform the rest of the team about what they are doing, their progress, and any issues they may be facing.

There are 6 stages in the Agile software development lifecycle:

• Concept – A company will identify expectations and opportunities from the primary scope and concept, while the development team will provide cost and time estimates.
• Beginning – This is where most of the project planning takes place. The project manager selects the skills and team members to complete this project. Diagramming helps outline each team member's responsibilities and the overall goal of each sprint.
• Iteration – The iteration phase is the primary phase of concrete development. The development team will start solving their tasks and coding the software. The workflow during this period will include all major components of standard software development, including:
  • Development
  • Test
  • Delivery
  • Opinion
  • Release
• Repetition – Repetition of the iteration phase occurs several times until the final product is complete. Then the team completes a final phase of thorough testing and quality assurance protects against any problematic bugs. The creation of user documentation occurs during the launch phase.
• Production – The development team monitors the software and provides regular support so that internal and external users are satisfied with the product. This phase will last as long as the software is active.
• Retirement – ​​Architecture or other technological changes can contribute to this. Retirement is not common in enterprise software development because the company often opts for overhaul rather than scrapping.

V-shaped methodology

The V-Shaped Methodology is similar to the Waterfall method, but instead of a linear process path, the methodology is divided into 2 main processes: Verification and Validation. Each of these processes forms one side of the 'V' and meets at the bottom for the Implementation phase. The development life cycle will go through the verification phases, to the implementation phase and then to the validation phases.

• Verification process
  • Requirements Analysis – The project manager will collect all the system requirements that the company expects from its software. Senior managers will be able to review this analysis and provide feedback.
  • System design – Creating a system design is the main objective of the system design stage. This will include software, network and hardware requirements. The development team discovers the techniques that can bring software requirements to life. System organization, data structure, menu structures, and backend structures occur in this phase.
  • Architecture Design – At this point, the team will be working on outlining the functionality of each software feature and component. This is just a design phase as no concrete coding is happening at the moment.
  • Module Design – Each functionality described in the architecture design is divided into smaller parts to encode discrete sections.

• Implementation
  • Coding – Software developers take the information and design developed in the requirements analysis, system design, architectural design, and module design stages and begin coding. Developers often code in a reverse manner and will start programming simple modules first before fitting them into the system architecture.

• Validation
  • Unit Testing – The development of unit tests occurs during the module design phase. Running the code identifies bugs or other problems. Ideally, a unit test will prove that each small unit of code can work without depending on other units.
  • Integration Testing – Small, independent units cannot create any meaningful software without integration and communication. Failing the integration test means the drives are not compatible.
  • System Testing – Developers and management test the entire application in the system testing stage. At this point, there is typically significant feedback from internal users and focus groups. System testing includes performance, stress, regression, and load testing.
  • Acceptance Testing – The V-shaped methodology understands the importance of user testing. The company performs acceptance tests to verify that the software is complete and ready for use.

Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)

Initially developed for software development, DSDM is now widely used in project management. DSDM differs from other methodologies in that it calculates time and costs from the beginning.

The initial stages of development will determine the company's prioritization. The software will have a series of “must haves”, “should haves”, “could haves” and “wouldn’ts”. This allows the development team to adjust the project to meet the project schedule. If the team is ahead, they may work on the “could haves and should haves,” but if they are behind, they focus on the “must haves and should haves.”

DSDM also employs an iterative approach during software implementation, while focusing on the importance of communicating frequently and collaborating whenever possible.

Prototype Methodology

The Prototype Methodology works a little differently than other methodologies. Prototyping is the process of creating an initial working model that can test a concept. An early prototype is useful for determining what works and what doesn't. It allows developers to decide on areas of focus and importance.

Prototyping is also an invaluable tool if a company is unsure of all of its software needs. An early prototype is tangible and can allow room for important feedback. With the feedback, the development team will begin refining the prototype. Presentation of the prototype to management occurs with each new iteration.

This method is not as popular because it can prolong development time. By not going into development with a clearly defined design and requirements, developers can stumble. The software may be functional, but it may not be cohesive or have the best system architecture or design.

What is the right choice?

Project managers, development teams , and business leaders should collaborate to discuss the pros and cons of each methodology. Agile is popular because it is very effective and can be a great choice. Waterfall, V-Shaped, DSDM and Prototype are strongly effective methodologies when selected for the right custom software.