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A quality software development methodology lends consistent structure and strategy to your projects. By standardizing the steps required to bring a great idea to market, your team can edge ahead of the competition and inspire stakeholder confidence by working smarter instead of harder. 6 Common Software Development MethodologiesAgileThe Agile methodology breaks projects down into smaller, shorter-term, more manageable, development cycles called iterations. Each iteration can include a variety of activities, including requirements gathering, analysis, planning, design, development, testing, or documenting. Agile software development.Strengths
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SpiralFor environments that need to prioritize mitigating risk, the Spiral methodology offers a conscientious approach that always begins with research and exploration. Spiral development concept.Strengths
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DevOpsBy unifying development teams with IT operations teams, the DevOps methodology values collaboration while delivering new and updated projects on a continual basis. Strengths
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LeanWith the mandate to do the least you can, the fastest you can, Lean is a methodology that thrives in an environment looking for quick wins. Lean tools for process improvementStrengths
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Pair ProgrammingAs the name implies, Pair Programming brings two developers together to work at a single workstation. Using this software development methodology, while one developer is at the keyboard, the other serves simultaneously as an observer, pointer, or navigator. Illustration of pair programming.Strengths
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WaterfallProjects that are highly defined, with a series of sequential steps, thrive with the Waterfall methodology. Waterfall is a commonly employed software development methodology, operating on the principles of defining requirements and producing results. Waterfall methodology.Strengths
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Choosing A MethodologyIn large part, choosing a methodology is a mixture of education and instinct. Projects inspired by the best ideas in the world, brought to life by the most talented developers, are still vulnerable to risks like delayed delivery and dissatisfied customers. Before choosing a software development methodology, consider the following criteria.
Consistency is RecommendedIt may be tempting to choose a new methodology for each project your development team takes on, but this isn’t always sensible. Without consistency, your development team will fail to gain the efficiency and comfort derived from working with the same methodology over time. Just as often, development teams boast using hybrid approaches, taking what they feel are the best characteristics from several methodologies and combining them into something customized and unique. Ultimately, this produces the same results as using no methodology at all—losing the consistency and structure of an established methodology, along with any community support. Read next: Using Swim Lane Diagrams to Improve Software Development |