Software development is an immensely challenging task. Developing software does not only mean building it; its maintenance and timely updates are also incorporated. It requires massive focus and team collaboration. For this purpose, software development companies have adopted various methodologies to evaluate client requirements and assemble different ideas to formulate a robust business solution within a specified time schedule.
It does not matter if you are a client looking for a software solution from a firm or working as an internal team member of a software development team; it is mandatory to know the methodologies for better collaboration and a decent final product.
Hence, let’s understand software development methodology and why it has become so important in the field. We will discuss all the related concepts while focusing on the gravity of understanding software development methodologies.
What is a Software Development Method?
Before discussing the importance of software development methods, it is critical to understand what these methodologies mean. In software engineering, software development methodology, or simply SDM, is a software development framework that developers use to structure, plan, and control the process of developing an information system. These processes are regarded as fundamental tools for carrying out community consensus and facilitating teams of several members working together on a collaborative project.
A reliable software development methodology is crucial for any software project. It is a vital component of any software development firm that facilitates edge-to-edge clients’ business requirements and delivers a feature-packed application with minimum bugs. Furthermore, it helps both parties to communicate effectively while the software is being developed and complete the project economically and on schedule.
Source: Synopsys
Are all Software Development Methodologies Same?
You might wonder whether all the software development methodologies are working toward the same goal. Even if the purpose is to streamline the whole development process, there are different types of development methodologies in operation. Each can differ from the other by a considerable margin– in the industry, agile software development is considered to be the most effective and popular method.
Every team member on the development team must be familiar with the most important and preferred development approaches. According to a statistic evaluated in 2021, more than 35% of software firms depend on DevOps Development. At the same time, the rest of the 65% adhere to Agile, Kanban, Waterfall, Scrum, and Lean software development methodologies.
Source: streetdirectory
Importance of Software Development Methodologies
It is virtually impossible to develop software effectively without adhering to one of the software development methodologies. How well you can implement a corresponding software development methodology can determine the success or failure of a project. Moreover, you need to ensure your team has the skills and knowledge about the key factors required to develop an app or any type of software.
Following an SDM Adequately
It is astounding how many software development projects constantly fail to follow a process in modern times. Many new startups fail to understand the importance of software development methodologies. The “fly-by-night” method is used in the design and execution of software development efforts. It is up to different firms to understand the feasibility of these methods and educate the customers on why it is necessary to follow in the footsteps of a specific method. Clients frequently find it abstruse to recognize or comprehend the immediate benefits of different idea analyses, business requirements, use-case analyses, and design specification sessions. All these concepts are crucial in the development of a high-quality product. Novice clients sometimes will phrase “I want ….” and fill the blank with whatever feature they can think of. They believe the developers can give them what they want without asking questions. Often the development of software is not as simple. When a product is developed without the assistance of an SDM, it frequently results in solutions that are delivered late, beyond budget, and often fall short of end-user or client expectations. It can potentially result in the total failure of the software project.
The most important aspect of following a software development methodology is that it can produce better estimates, deliver robust systems, inform the client, develop a transparent picture of the work, and spot software issues sooner, providing enough time for corrections. It is not possible without adopting a given software methodology. Furthermore, software firms have discovered that SDMs have evolved and expanded; it helps them become more adept at anticipating issues before they arise. It has critically enhanced the work capacity of software firms and handles multiple projects simultaneously without facing any direct conflicts.
Impacts of Poorly Implemented Software Methodologies
Many issues can emerge when an SDM is not implemented correctly. The problems may get worse as the development process goes further. For example, functional systems that don’t satisfy the intended demands of the clients are often the result of miscommunication among the customers and software development teams. If the client develops mistrust due to improper communication toward the development team, further updates and maintenance of the project will become arduous. Therefore, ensuring a dedicated software development team who are fully aligned with the client is crucial for the project to be a success.
A follow-on contract might be an impossible task. Furthermore, releasing software applications with plenty of flaws are sometimes caused by a lack of fundamental methodological principles or procedures, including an improper peer review process. Delivering a buggy or faulty software application reflects poorly on the company and the development team.
On a less obvious level, many development team members experience adverse side effects like lack of morale or enthusiasm due to scope changes or the requirement for ongoing frequent adjustments, typically resulting from poorly defined or implemented software development methodologies or the complete lack of understanding the importance of QA in the development stage. A correctly implemented SDM can significantly lessen this issue. When a different process is well established and followed, scope creep can be better managed, and common problems can be avoided altogether. Undoubtedly, many incidents during the development process can pop up without anticipation, especially when developing a complex system. But adhering to a software development method can surely cut down on such occurrences.
Importance of Review Process
The importance of an SDM is properly realized when the evaluation of a project is initiated. After a company delivers the final project to the client, a review is conducted to assess the overall journey. The assessment, for instance, can lead to removing phases from the development process that, in the end, offer no benefit. The removal of this redundant labor may result in enhancements, such as the opportunity for an early system release date or the flexibility to handle unforeseen difficulties as they arise. The company should not only be completing tasks per the instructions of an adopted SDM, but the tasks should be done meaningfully to benefit the client and the company at root levels.
Software Development Lifecycle
The software development lifecycle is an aspect where developers can truly understand the gravity of implementing an SDM. For instance, when a company hires new employees or distributes the work to a new team, the lack of subject experience, using unproven technology, and having a tight deadline can severely impact the quality of work. Along with technical difficulties, such circumstances might obstruct a software development plan and place management in an unwarranted and unpleasant crisis. An SDM facilitates proper documentation of the development process. It helps a newcomer understand the work as it delineates each process step. However, if there is any case of an emerging crisis, it should be appropriately handled. Otherwise, it could result in products that exceed cost and time estimates but still have subpar quality.
Conclusion
The success of a software development company largely depends on the practical implementation of an adopted SDM. It helps them to determine the order of execution of tasks and assessment methods and take complete control over a project. There are many different types of SDMs. A specific methodology is chosen based on the direction of the project, its budget, schedule, and client demand. Hence, adhering to a particular SDM and putting effort into fulfilling all the requirements are necessary to utilize the benefits of these methodologies. Furthermore, more software development firms, especially startups, should realize the importance of following an SDM early on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is a software development methodology in simple terms?
Ans: In simple words, a process or series of processes used by a software development team to build or update an application.
Q. How many significant types of software development methodologies are there?
Ans: There are four main types of software development methodologies.
Q. What is the best software development methodology?
Ans: The best methodology depends on many factors like the project’s scope, budget, time constraints, client demands, etc.
Q. Why should a software development team adopt an SDM?
Ans: Without following an SDM, building software will become highly chaotic.
Q. Why do many programmers prefer Agile methodology?
Ans: Many programmers follow Agile methodology because it allows them to find problems and create solutions quickly and efficiently.
