Software Development Methodologies: A Comparative Analysis

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Topic: - Software Development
methodologies
Paper Name: - “ Choice of software development methodologies”
Vijayasarathy, L.R. and Butler, C.W., 2016. Choice of software development methodologies:
Do organizational, project, and team characteristics matter?. IEEE Software, 33(5), pp.86-94.
Name: -
MITS 4004, Date: -
Lecturer: -Nazmus Nafi

Software development: -
Software development is defined as the process in which individual software or stand-alone is
created by using a programming language. It includes writing a series of programming codes that
follows certain algorithms in order to do a specific task. This provides the functionality of the
software. Software development is achieved primarily by programming. It requires initial research,
technical documentation, process flow charts, software testing, flow charts, software architecture
techniques and debugging. This is known as the software development cycle. An organization is
capable of choosing the software development methodologies that can be of any approaches. Agile
and Scrum methods are more efficient than what was used before years line waterfall which is still
popular.
Software development life cycle: -
The software development life cycle is defined as a framework that performs every step-in process
of software development. It is a structure followed by a team of developers in a software
organization. It includes the plan with details of how to maintain, replace and development of
software. A life cycle reflects the methodology for the improvement of software quality and also the
process of development. It is also known as the software development process.
The activities involved in the SDLC: -
1) Documentation
2) Planning
3) Implementation
4) Testing
5) Maintaining
6) Maintenance and deployment
There are various software development models that are used in during the cycle as per the
requirement: -
1) Waterfall
2) Incremental model
3) V shape model
Software development methodologies: - In this context, the author presented several
methodologies used for the development of the software. They founded that the methodologies
today like agile methodology which is not different from those which were used before 10 years like
the waterfall model which is still preferred. Below are the most preferred methods and models for
the development of software.
1) Waterfall model: - it is the most traditional and popular methodology used. It suggests that
going back for changes is impossible.
Pros:
a) Easily understandable functions
b) Simple to handle rigid model
c) Save enough time

d) Easy analysis and testing
Cons:
a) Matches needs that are precise
b) It is not applicable for projects of maintenance
c) There is no other option to know
d) Not recommended for projects that are ongoing and long
2) Agile software for development: - It is an approach used for the articulation of well-organized
project procedure of management.
Pros: -
a) Uses adaptive approach
b) Direct communication
c) Improved quality using different methods
Cons:
a) Documentation efficiency lacks
b) Chance of outcome is unclear
3) Prototype methodology: - It validates its essence of functions before final authentic solution
creation.
Pros:
a) Clear function process idea
b) Decreased risk of failure
Cons:
a) High management cost
b) Changes affect the workflow
4) Spiral model: -It brings a very sophisticated model for early risk reduction.
Pros:
a) Low-risk factor
b) Allowing additional functions
Cons:
c) Costlier
d) Not recommended for low-risk project
5) Rapid application for development: -its basic aim is to provide an instant result. It takes less
advantage of software development.
Pros:
a) Effortless development process
b) Encourages feedback
Cons:
a) Team performance dependent
b) A small project is not suitable

6) Dynamic development of the system: -it is derived from the rapid application development
method and it is an incremental approach which focusses on user’s involvement
Pros:
a) Functionality is quick
b) Easy end-user accessing
Cons:
a) Implementation is costlier
b) The small organization not suitable
7) Joint application for development: - It is based on the approach of user expansion of interface
and requirement classification that is required for the end user.
Pros:
a) Explore various points
b) Immediate resolving
Cons:
a) Time inefficient
b) The highly skilled worker required
8) Feature driven model: -It serves on the projects related to object-oriented technology with
large no, of the working team.
Pros:
a) Easy procedure
b) More efficient for bigger projects
Cons:
a) Smaller projects are less suited
b) Leading development dependent
9) Lean development: -it flashes more on the advancement of manageable software. The main
objective of this is to improve the software in less time which reaches up to 1/3 of the given
time.
Pros:
a) Low budget
b) Early delivery
Cons:
a) Analyst for business are not suitable
b) Team performance is required
10) Scrum development: - It is mostly used software development technique that used an agile
approach. It is used for the prompt development of the software.
Pros:
a) The team is responsible for decision making
b) Constant updating

Cons:
a) Big size projects are not suited
b) Highly experts are required
Characteristics of a good project: -
1) A realistic and clear goal
2) Team leadership should be powerful
3) Ownership responsibilities
4) Quality commitment
5) Physiological safety
6) Skill in the team
Conclusion: -
In the review, we get to know about software development and its methodologies. We get to know
about the methods for software development used recently and before 10 years and what are the
pros and cons of every method. Before the development of software for the determination of
success rate the assessment, criteria should be selected. The software development includes a major
factor called software life cycle which determines the quality of software. There is a huge
involvement of software in every possible sector like industrial, business, etc. therefore the need for
the development of software is also high and require a specific methodology to be used depending
on the requirements of the software by the client. Among the following methods waterfall, agile,
rapid application, develops deployment, the method is the most appropriate methods.