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Table of Contents
Waterfall Model
Agile Model
Opening t he Door to Hybrid Solutions — Why You Should Consider Met hodology Migration
Spiral Model
VModel
Prototype Model
Lean Model
Feature-driven Model
Software development life cycle (SDLC models define the flow of software
building projects.
That’s why choosing the right SDLC type for your unique needs can make or
break your software project, affecting its quality, timeframe, and budget.
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But with so many various SDLC methods, you need to have a deeper
understanding of their characteristics and use cases.
To help you understand which models you can adopt to launch your projects to
success, we’ll cover 13 of the best software development models, their pros,
cons, and practical uses.
Table of Contents
• Waterfall Model
• Incremental and Iterative Model
• Agile Model
• Agile Scrum Model
• Spiral Model
• VModel
• RUP Model
• Prototype Model
• Extreme Programming
• Lean Model
• Dynamic Systems Model
• Feature-Driven Model
• Joint Application Development Model
Fail to structure your project right and you risk falling into the 52.7% of projects
that cost 189% of their original estimates. But developing your dream ideas into
reality doesn’t have to accrue unnecessary costs — or drag on into an abyss of
never-ending stress.
Thanks to masterminds like Dr. Winston W.Royce, or Jeff Sutherland and co;
software development models such as Waterfall and Agile have made the
development process much more efficient.
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To make an informed decision about the right software development model for
your unique project, you first need to know which methodologies are worth
considering.
Once you have a clearer idea of what each SDLC model is — as well as the
types of projects they are most suitable for — you can then evaluate what’s
most compatible with your vision and objectives.
Before jumping headfirst into the most commonly used software development
methods for growing companies though, let’s start by defining what this term
means.
The ultimate goal: more effective processes to ensure higher project success
rates.
According to the academics Fitzgerald and Friedman, ‘’the move to the SDLC
approach represented a shift towards tighter control of the development
process’’.
There are dozens of variations — from waterfall to agile, spiral to V model, and
everything in between. The one thing they all share in common? Each type of
SDLC model can generally be broken down into six phases:
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The long list of options grows every year as ‘‘the faster metabolism of business
today’’ demands for more efficient processes and speedier turn-around times.
Project management experts and developers will analyze the scope, software
requirements, budget, and business goals before deciding upon the software
development model that’s right for you.
With plenty to choose from, let’s start by looking at the top software
development methodologies our experts recommend.
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90% of the projects, we work on, these four types of SDLC models shine
through as the best fit for our clients’ needs. .
Waterfall Model
Waterfall is the mother of all SDLC models. Established in the 70s, it was the
first methodology to transform the way systems are built. This model follows a
strict structure.
The Waterfall methodology is a classic model best suited to small and medium-sized projects.
Documentation plays a key role in the waterfall SDLC. At every stage of the
development process, there are deliverables. Work cannot begin on a new
stage until the previous phase is complete, so the process is linear and easy to
manage. Waterfall has been subject to heavy criticism in recent years for being
too rigid and outdated. However, there are still numerous benefits of adopting
this methodology when working on the first version of a product.
Advantages
• Easier to stick within a predefined budget or timeline
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Disadvantages
• A very rigid structure can be restrictive — each stage is dependent on the
previous one
• Not possible to revisit requirements after the first stage of the development
cycle
• The bigger the project, the more difficult it is to predict all software
requirements in the first stage
• Testing and deployment don’t take place until the final stages. The risk of
encountering unanticipated errors is, therefore, quite high.
• Mistakes are expensive to resolve and can negatively impact the predicted
timeline
Scopic Reflections
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At Scopic, we often use this methodology with small and mid-sized projects
that are not big enough to be split into sprints.
This software development model is also ideal when building a new product
from scratch. The strict structure makes it easier to meet expectations while
sticking within a set budget and time-frame. Planning is thorough and the
scope of work is laid out clearly from the get-go. Once the initial prototype has
been launched and more flexibility is required, we then often recommend
migrating to a more agile approach.
We wouldn’t suggest Waterfall for larger projects of more than 2,000 hours as
these are often subject to change along the way. This more traditional model is
too rigid to anticipate all the complexities of a big project. Any deviation from
the original plan would be costly and cause delays.
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Incremental and iterative models are best suited to medium and large-sized projects.
Instead, you can split the process into four main stages.
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Each stage can be planned in full, then designed, developed, and delivered
before moving onto the planning for the next phase. Testing also plays a more
prominent role during the design and development stages. With the Iterative
and Incremental models, each iteration can be completed in parallel with one
another or sequentially. Software changes can be implemented at any time.
The main difference is that in Iterative, each iteration has a knock-on effect so
that the software design and development is constantly progressing and
improving.
Advantages
• Provided they are small, modifications can be made at any stage throughout
the process
• Less risk involved. You can fund the first phase and perform risk assessment
without having to commit to the whole project upfront
• Easy to control and reach set milestones within the timeframe and budget
set
• Possible to test and implement valuable user feedback before the end
product is finalized
Disadvantages
• To avoid critical issues further down the line, all major requirements must still
be outlined in the initial stage of the project
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Scopic Reflections
Incremental and Iterative are our favorite types of software development
models for medium-sized, first-time projects.
They allow for more flexibility than the Waterfall methodology, while still
making it plausible to set and stick to a fixed budget.
If you’re looking for full transparency at every phase, this option is ideal. If a
project is overly complex you can gauge how much work is involved after the
first deliverable. This will give you a much clearer picture of the product
possibilities and overall budget for the entire project.
You then have time to seek further funding, pool user feedback, or make more
concrete decisions about the final product before moving forward. Due to the
nature of the workflow, these software development models are not suitable
for small projects that require less than 2,000 hours of work.
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Agile Model
In 2017, 71% of the almost 4,000 organizations who were interviewed, reported
using ‘‘agile approaches in their projects either sometimes or more frequently
than in the past’’.
It’s safe to say that for many, agile is becoming the go-to formula to reach their
software product goals! So what does agile mean in software development
terms?
Formally brought to life in 2001, this type of software life cycle model is based
on 4 core values and 12 principles. The ultimate goal: to better organize teams
and make development projects more efficient.
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The Agile methodology allows for much greater flexibility than alternative SDLC models
There are several software development models that fall under the bracket of
the agile approach.
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The 2020 State of Agile Report outlines five main reasons why companies and
development teams are turning to agile methodologies.
Source
Advantages
• Easy to improve software and fix issues as they occur
• Not necessary to know or heavily plan all the project requirements in the
very first phase — the product can be adapted to changing ideas and
specifications
• Development work can be completed quickly and efficiently
• Teams are self-organizing and independent
• User feedback early on can provide valuable insights
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Disadvantages
• Difficult to set a budget. The project is subject to change so much that it is
almost impossible to anticipate the overall costs
• Hard to predict the time and resources needed from day one
• Documentation and planning are still required but do not take precedence.
This means if your team is not diligent enough, key technique documentation
is often put on the back burner
• High risk of creating a fragmented final product
• With no concrete idea of what the end product will be like, the process can
end up being forever ongoing
• Difficult to set concrete KPIs at the beginning so measuring progress can be
challenging
Scopic Reflections
At Scopic, we recommend agile software engineering models when a project is
too large to be broken into phases.
Sprints are ideal in this scenario. We also often suggest migrating to agile once
the first idea has been developed. This helps keep costs down in the first
version when an idea is new and the results are still unknown. It then allows
room for more flexibility when developing the product further. That way, teams
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can visualize and unite the end business goals with the current variation.
By breaking down the scope of work on a more granular level, the team can
also speed up development time and work more efficiently. We don’t
recommend following an agile approach if you have a very tight budget or
timeline to adhere to.
Advantages
• Gives you the flexibility to change requirements as you go (much more so
than other frameworks)
• Easy to identify and overcome issues during the coding phase and other
stages as they arise
• Communication is at the heart of Scrum so expectations are much clearer
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Disadvantages
• Numerous sprints can add significantly to project length
Scopic Reflections
Scrum is great if you already understand the framework to some degree. It is
also ideal if you only have a basic idea that you want to explore further.
However, this technique is heavily centered around communication and
collaboration rather than efficiency. This means you will need to be very
involved in the process at every stage of the project.
If you have a fixed budget to stick to, we wouldn’t recommend using Scrum.
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The path towards success is often windy and there’s no one simple answer. Dr.
Kneuper predicted that firms need to develop hybrid SDLCs that adopt the
best practices of both plan-based and agile software development models. In
some cases, it may even be worth considering beginning with one
methodology and then switching to another later.
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At Scopic, we find that for some projects it makes the most sense to begin with
the waterfall model for the first version of the software.
This gives our more budget-sensitive clients better control of the costs and
timeline. Once their product has been released, we can then start working on
version 2.0 by migrating to more flexible agile methods.
Before deciding which approach is right for your specific project, make sure
you’ve read up on your options well. There are a handful more types of
software development models for you to choose from. Here’s a quick look at
some other common alternatives:
Spiral Model
The spiral software design model pays special attention to risk assessment.
Inspired by the Incremental and Iterative software development life cycle
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This model is ideal for large, high-risk projects that are mission-critical.
However, it can be costly and time-consuming. Because of this, we wouldn’t
recommend this methodology for small and medium-sized projects.
VModel
Inspired by Waterfall, the V-model technique (otherwise known as the
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Sequential by nature, you need to know all requirements from the beginning.
Once a phase is complete, returning to it is very challenging and expensive.
This model is well-known for its thorough testing at every development stage.
Because of this, quality assurance is a major advantage. On the other hand, it
makes the sequential flow very time-consuming and costly, especially if any
errors are found.
The scrupulous development and testing process makes the V-model a popular
choice for products where downtime is not an option. Life-saving medical
software solutions, for example, are well-suited to the rigorous testing nature
of this development methodology. Only choose this option, however, if you
have a large budget available.
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Model
The RUP model takes inspiration from linear and iterative frameworks. This
model is primarily focused on producing high-quality, efficient solutions that
stay within the set budget and timeframe. The project is split into four stages:
Depending on the project timeline, the degree of focus on a particular step will
vary. Within the elaboration, construction, and transition phases, it is common
to work on more than one iteration.
Although this software delivery model is both flexible and great at reducing
risk, it is also a very complex methodology to implement. You will need a team
of highly experienced developers who know how to manage this model with
confidence. Even then, you won’t get the same degree of flexibility as you
would with a more agile approach.
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Prototype Model
As the name indicates, the Prototyping model is all about researching, testing,
evaluating, and enhancing.
Prototyping is a hybrid of the Waterfall model that pays close attention to client
and user feedback. First, the requirements are set and developers will work on
a prototype. Users then test the samples and provide feedback. After revisiting
the initial requirements, developers will start programming the product.
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By heavily involving your users in the process, the end product is much more
likely to meet expectations. However, the Prototyping model is not without its
complications. It is extremely difficult to anticipate the iterations needed until
the prototype has been created. Therefore, costs can be unpredictable, and
progress slow.
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Like with most agile frameworks, extreme flexibility can be both a gift and a
curse! Although handy for larger projects with unclear requirements, it can also
complicate the sequential flow and prevent you from sticking to your initial
timeline.
Lean Model
Lean is also an agile framework.
After discussing and optimizing the plan your team can create a very simple
version of the software to get the ball rolling. User feedback and client input
are of great importance in this model.
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This framework is best for projects with a time limit and a tight budget to
follow. Only choose this approach if you have the time needed to communicate
regularly and be highly involved in feedback and decision making.
Efficiency and cost are the driving forces of motivation for this method. In
DSDM Dynamic Systems Development Method), developers study the
business requirements and level of flexibility in depth.
This makes for easier delivery of high-quality software, while still respecting
the timeframe and budget set.
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User feedback and regular communication are also key in this method. Present
at every stage, expectations can be met to the highest standards and within a
short timeframe. Having said this, it is a very costly software development
process model to implement. We wouldn’t recommend the DSMD method for
small and medium-sized software development projects.
Feature-driven Model
Feature-driven development (FDD for short) is also considered agile in its
approach. Building upon the principles of successful development, FDD is
feature and user-centric. Breaking the project up into features helps simplify
complex processes, making it ideal for big teams and projects.
Although a great choice for larger companies, working to a set deadline can be
a challenge. It is also not a good fit for smaller development teams and
projects.
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The collaborative nature of this model can help identify errors early on and
resolve them before the mistakes become too costly to fix.
Only the most experienced developers can work on this kind of project. This
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makes it more expensive than alternative methods. The process can also be
very time-consuming.
Only turn to this type of software development methodology if you have the
time and energy to be heavily involved in the project.
Uncovering the truth and making informed decisions will be crucial to your
success. You need to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each software
development model from within the context of your specific business
requirements.
you’re willing to invest in your ideas, make sure you know what’s best for you.
Consult a reliable expert who can advise you on the different life cycle
methodologies most suited to your project.
Turning your ideas into concrete deliverables that inspire, takes knowledge,
time, and money. Understanding the truth about each model will help you to
make the right choices.
Common Misconceptions
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Some of the most common misconceptions to keep in mind before making your
final decision, include:
• A g i l e s o f t w a re e n g i n e e r i n g m o d e l s d o n ’ t re q u i re a ny u p f ro n t p l a n n i n g !
This simply isn’t true. You still need to do some planning upfront to clarify
details that you will be working on 10 sprints from now. If you don’t, you run
the risk of making architectural decisions that lead to disjointed software. So
if you want to go agile because it means jumping into the action from day
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• You have to pick just one met hodology This isn’t true. Depending on your
project needs, hybrid solutions are often the way to go. They can give you
the flexibility to create a killer combination. For example, you could have a
Waterfall methodology overall and then use agile frameworks to include two-
month sprints of work. Doing this could help you reach internal milestones.
This is just one hybrid example — there are many others too. If you work with
the right professionals, the software world is your oyster!
Final Thoughts
The Standish Group found that the average time for “failed” projects” was
222% of the original estimate. But failure should not be an option.
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The question is, do you have the support you need to see your project through
to success?
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cess, but it’s healthcare providers and health gurus as teledentistry) uses digital
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