The software development life cycle changes a lot and it all comes down to finding the right approach that suits your needs. The challenge with great SDLC methodologies is that it needs to be adaptable and easy to use. It’s definitely worth it and the payoff alone can be second to none. But make sure that you understand what the main SDLC methodologies are doing and then adapt to what they are offering as well.
Agile Methodology
Agile is one of the major methodologies. The idea here is that you produce multiple release cycles and then make incremental changes from one release to the other. You then make sure that you address the issue as soon as it arrives. It’s a lot better because you have more control and the value itself is very convenient. You do need to consider using this correctly all the time and adapting it will be a great opportunity no matter what.
Lean
Lean on the other hand is focused on various lean manufacturing principles and practices. There are multiple ideas related to these methodologies, such as eliminating waste, building integrity, empowering the entire team, delivering fast and also deciding late while also amplifying learning. It’s important to note that you are working only on a single thing at a time to make the process better and more convenient, which is what you need with this kind of stuff.
Waterfall Model
This one is maybe the SDLC methodology that can be very straightforward. There are multiple stages to consider and the great benefit in all of this is that you can adjust and adapt to it in a way that really works for you. On top of that, every stage actually relies on info from the previous stage. Hence the waterfall effect you will need to consider. It’s quite a rigid model and it won’t really work for everyone. But it can be adapted, improved and worked upon, which in the end it will make things worth it.
Iterative Methodology
The iterative approach is strange because instead of starting with all the known requirements, you will implement a set of requirements, test, evaluate and then choose the new requirements. Its focuses a lot on testing and on improving things in a way that really works. You do need to take your time and actively find a way to improve this immensely if it works for you. The benefit you get here is that implementing changes is a lot easier and better, and you get to spend less money on that too. Which makes this one of the better systems out there that you can start using and adapting today at your own pace.
Spiral Methodology
Spiral is also very flexible. The interesting thing is that this is focused mostly on creating 4 phases and then you can adapt and improve everything as you go along. It will totally work and it will bring in front a system that suits your requirements really well. The problem with many SDLC methodologies is that they are rigid and adapting them is always very challenging. What you want is to take your time and improve on this as you go along. But it does work great if you know how to do it, and you might as well want to try it right away.
Conclusion
These software development methodologies are considered best in modern era. Most widely used is Agile due to the ability to create and respond to change. It is a way of dealing with, and ultimately succeeding in, an uncertain and turbulent environment. Agile software development is more than practices such as pair programming, test-driven development, stand-ups, planning sessions and sprints.
