How Many Software Development Models Are There?
Nowadays, we know there are more than 50 recognized SDLC models in use. None of them is perfect, and each brings its favorable aspects and disadvantages for a specific software development project or a team. According to our experience, we’ve chosen 5 popular software development models.
Scum
Scrum is an agile way to manage a project, usually software development. This paradigm states the development should be iterative, with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) always available for testing after each iteration (which are usually 2–4 weeks long). After each iteration new features are added to the product until it is considered feature-complete and ready for release. Such approach to software development allows adjusting project requirements on the go, should the need be.
Kaban
The Kanban Method gets its name from the use of kanban – visual signaling mechanisms to control work in progress for intangible work products. Kanban Board is an approach that can actually be used on top of any of the previous software development methodologies, though originally deriving from working under the Lean model. It concentrates on pinpointing the most important feature in development right now, shows the effort already spent on it, and helps to highlight the room for continuous improvement, helping to seek and find perfection in every product feature.
Also, the model has no separate planning stage, so a new change request can be introduced at any time. Communication with the customer is ongoing, they can check the work results whenever they like, and the meetings with the project team can happen even daily.
Waterfall
The Waterfall model refers to a cascading waterfall. This is the oldest, most trusted and most straightforward of the software development methodologies. Each stage can be completed only after the previous one is finished. The stages include product requirement gathering, design and development of the software, testing, release and maintenance. Hence, the methodology doesn’t work well when there’s a need for flexibility with long-term and ongoing projects.
Lean
Lean software development model has its roots in Toyota approach to doing things: when you need to change something, do only the changes that bring the most VALUE, require the least EFFORT (budget) to be accomplished and take only 30% of the TIME planned. Such approach helped Toyota build a workflow able to switch their car constructing conveyors to producing another model of Toyota vehicles in mere hours, while the other manufacturers needed weeks to do it.
Alige
The Agile method creates continuous release cycles, where tiny incremental changes from the previous release are implemented. The Agile methodology helps teams spot and tackle minor issues during software development. It’s important before they morph into more serious problems. There’s product testing at each iteration. The involvement of business stakeholders and their feedback is highly welcomed in the development process. Each Agile iteration usually takes several weeks and delivers a complete working software version.