Software Development Methodologies: Choose Among the Top 10

Last Updated on 2025-01-30

Development decisions can make or break your tech ventures. So, choose your software development methodologies wisely. 

With today’s existing technologies, the software development landscape has evolved in ways we couldn’t have imagined years ago. And with that comes different approaches to building and delivering software projects. This is where choosing the right software development methodology comes into play.

A software development methodology outlines your approach to completing your project. It serves as a guide for your development team throughout the software development lifecycle. But it can be confusing to pick one with various methodologies available, from the traditional waterfall to agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban.

But don’t worry! This article will explore the key factors to consider when choosing a software development methodology. Let’s dive into the top 10 methodologies—their pros and cons and what projects suit them best.

10 Popular Software Development Methodologies

Each methodology has unique strengths and weaknesses. That is why you must choose the best fit for your needs. Let’s look at the top 10 software development methodologies in no particular order. We’ll also highlight their pros and cons and the project examples that suit each software development methodology.

#1. Waterfall

The Waterfall methodology is a linear, sequential approach to software development. It involves distinct phases: requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Each phase must be completed before moving to the next. While it offers clear documentation and predictability, it lacks flexibility for changing requirements.

Pros

• A well-defined and structured process
• Easier to manage small projects
• Clear milestones and deliverables

Cons

• Limited flexibility for changes after each phase
• Difficulties in accommodating evolving requirements
• Potential for more extended development cycles

Suitable Project	Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system development
Sample Project	Building a comprehensive ERP solution for a manufacturing company where there is thorough planning and execution in each phase.

#2. Agile

Agile is a group of iterative and incremental software development methodologies prioritizing customer collaboration and responsiveness to change. Agile methodologies are ideal for projects with evolving requirements and frequent feedback loops.

Pros

• Enhanced adaptability to changing requirements
• Continuous feedback from stakeholders
• Faster delivery of working software
• Increased customer satisfaction

Cons

• Dependency on active customer involvement
• Complex planning and implementation in larger projects
• You may need more well-defined documentation

Suitable Project	Web application development for an e-commerce platform
Sample Project	Sample Project: Building an online store with features incrementally added based on customer feedback.

#3. Kanban

Kanban is a visual management method that emphasizes a continuous flow of work items. It aims to limit work in progress (WIP) and optimize throughput.

Pros

• Easy to implement and understand
• Efficient for maintenance projects and support teams
• Real-time visibility into project status
• Enables fast response to changing priorities

Cons

• May lack detailed planning
• Potential for overburdening team members
• Less suitable for large-scale projects with complex dependencies

Suitable Project	Content management system (CMS) enhancement and bug fixing
Sample Project	Improving a CMS using Kanban boards to track tasks, prioritize bug fixes, and enhance existing features.

#4. Scrum

Scrum organizes work into sprints with fixed durations, while Kanban provides a visual workflow to manage tasks efficiently. 

Scrum is a subset of Agile that relies on a structured framework with fixed-length iterations called “sprints.” It involves daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and reviews to foster collaboration.

Pros

• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
• Improved team communication and collaboration
• Adequate progress tracking through burndown charts
• Customer-centric development

Cons

• It can be challenging to maintain momentum during sprints
• Limited flexibility within a sprint

Suitable Project	Mobile application development for a fitness-tracking platform
Sample Project	Creating a fitness app with regular releases of new features and bug fixes in two-week sprints.

#5. Lean

Lean software development focuses on eliminating waste and maximizing value. It emphasizes continuous improvement, flow efficiency, and fast delivery. Lean principles are often combined with Agile methodologies to create more effective workflows.

Pros

• Focus on customer value
• Emphasis on continuous improvement
• Waste reduction leads to cost-effectiveness

Cons

• It might require significant process adjustments initially
• Complexity in identifying and eliminating all forms of waste
• Challenging to adapt to larger projects with diverse stakeholders

Suitable Project	Software product development for a startup
Sample Project	Building an innovative mobile app for a startup focusing on lean principles to test ideas and quickly gather user feedback for improvements.

#6. DevOps

DevOps is a cultural and technical approach that emphasizes collaboration between development and operations teams. It seeks to automate and streamline the software delivery process, promoting faster and more reliable releases.

Pros

• Continuous integration and delivery
• Enhanced collaboration and communication between teams
• Faster identification and resolution of issues
• High-quality software with automated testing

Cons

• Requires a cultural shift and a significant investment in automation tools
• Potential security concerns if not managed properly
• Complex to implement in legacy systems

Suitable Project	Cloud-based application deployment
Sample Project	Developing a scalable web application with a DevOps culture, automating build, test, and deployment processes.

#7. Spiral

The Spiral model combines elements of iterative development with a risk-driven approach. It involves repeated planning cycles, risk analysis, engineering, and customer evaluation.

Pros

• Risk analysis and mitigation
• Early integration of stakeholder feedback
• Suitable for large, complex projects

Cons

• It can be time-consuming due to multiple iterations
• Requires skilled risk assessment and management
• Not ideal for small projects with limited resources

Suitable Project	Development of a medical device with complex requirements
Sample Project	Creating a medical device that minimizes risks and incorporates regular customer evaluations to meet specific regulatory requirements.

#8. Extreme Programming (XP)

XP is a highly disciplined Agile approach emphasizing teamwork, customer involvement, and frequent releases. It relies on continuous testing and refactoring to ensure high-quality code.

Pros

• High-quality software through continuous testing
• Improved team collaboration and morale
• Emphasis on customer satisfaction

Cons

• Requires a high level of discipline and commitment
• Not suitable for projects with changing requirements
• Potential for over-engineering in some cases

Suitable Project	Real-time collaborative software development
Sample Project	Developing an instant messaging application focusing on pairing, test-driven development, and regular releases to enhance user experience.

#9. Feature-Driven Development (FDD)

FDD is an Agile approach focusing on incremental feature development and domain object modeling. As one of the best software development methodologies, it promotes frequent progress tracking and clear visibility of project status.

Pros

• Efficient for larger projects with many features
• Emphasizes tangible deliverables
• Clear roles and responsibilities

Cons

• It may require experienced domain modeling experts
• Potential for communication gaps between team members
• Not ideal for small-scale projects

Suitable Project	Software development for an online education platform
Sample Project	Building an e-learning platform with feature-driven development, where each feature is modeled, designed, and developed incrementally.

#10. Rapid Application Development (RAD)

RAD is one of the best software development methodologies because it enables fast-paced development. It focuses on prototyping, user feedback, and iterative development to produce usable software quickly.

Pros

• Rapid development and delivery
• Early user involvement and feedback
• Ideal for time-sensitive projects

Cons

• May lack thorough documentation
• Potential for compromising long-term maintainability
• Unsuitable for projects with fixed budgets and strict requirements

Suitable Project	Mobile app development for a marketing campaign
Sample Project	Creating a mobile app for a limited-time marketing campaign using rapid application development to deliver a functional product quickly.

5 Factors to Remember When Choosing Software Development Methodologies

There are many things you should consider before starting a project. And these five considerations should be at the top of your priorities when choosing software development methodologies.

1. Project Requirements and Complexity

Begin the selection process by understanding the nature and scope of your project. Some projects may have well-defined and stable requirements, making traditional methodologies like Waterfall suitable. Conversely, complex and dynamic projects benefit from Agile methodologies, where adaptability and incremental progress are essential.

2. Team Size and Experience

The size and experience of your development team is a major factor. Larger teams find traditional methodologies more effective as they provide clear roles and responsibilities. Agile methodologies, on the other hand, empower smaller, cross-functional teams to collaborate closely and adapt quickly to changing requirements.

3. Customer Involvement and Feedback

Consider the level of customer involvement and feedback required throughout the development process. Agile methodologies encourage continuous customer engagement, which allows frequent feedback and iterative improvements. This is particularly valuable when customer needs are subject to change or if the project’s success depends on end-user satisfaction.

4. Time Constraints and Deadlines

Time constraints and deadlines can heavily influence your choice of methodology. Traditional methodologies work well for projects with fixed scope and strict timelines where all requirements are known upfront. Agile methodologies, on the other hand, provide flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, making them more suitable for projects with uncertain timelines or evolving needs.

5. Risk Tolerance

Evaluate your organization’s risk tolerance and the potential impact of project failure. Traditional methodologies often involve thorough planning and risk analysis upfront that reduce overall project risks. Agile methodologies, on the other hand, allow teams to identify and mitigate risks incrementally throughout the project.

The Right Methodology Is the One that Fits Your Needs

Remember that no methodology is universally superior. So, adapting and tailoring your approach to suit your system development lifecycle needs is essential. Whichever methodology you choose, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability is key to thriving in this dynamic landscape.

In the end, success lies in the hands of your development team and their commitment to executing the chosen methodology effectively. When you combine the right approach with skilled professionals, a clear roadmap, and open communication, your software development project will have a greater chance of success.

Full Scale Always Employs the Right Methodology

Full Scale offers a quick, cost-effective solution for building your software development team.

Our team comprises skilled developers, testers, and leaders fully prepared to collaborate on your long-term projects. We pride ourselves on utilizing cutting-edge technologies to craft top-notch software products.

Moreover, our streamlined processes seamlessly integrate into your current system, including the top software development methodologies.

Choose Full Scale as your development partner now.