Project Management
Best Project Management Methodology for Software Development
Discover efficient ways to manage your software development projects
Do you remember your math or physics exams during school days?
Where we always used to ask our teacher whether we’d be getting the marks/grades for steps and methods –if the end answer is not correct.
And the subject teacher said, ‘Yes, if the methods applied are correct, you’ll get grades.’
Well, you see, since our schooling, we are taught about the importance of ‘methods’ to carry out any task. Now when it’s about project management methods for software development — we’ve various methodologies, and each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.
Some programmers prefer using a specific method for each software project they work upon. While others change their method depending on the software project requirements.
What is software development methodologies?
Methodology for software development refers to the planning, designing, testing, and then deploying a project. There are a few different variations on what people and businesses think are acceptable practices for growth.
To make project management more effective and smoother, the teams must select the software development methodology, which best fits their project.
Various Project Management Methodologies for Software development
Waterfall
As the name resembles ’Waterfall’ in this, each approach for project management is sequential or follows a step-by-step process. Just like in a waterfall, water flows from a height towards downwards direction — likewise, in this software development methodology, you’ve complete the step-1 then only move to step-2.
One cannot skip a step or move backward in the process of software development if the waterfall model is chosen. Some may find this model too linear, but it fits well for specific projects like those with a simple set of sequential steps, or those of a sort that you’ve worked on several times before.
The method for the Waterfall is divided into discrete stages. You begin by collecting and analyzing requirements, designing the solution (and your approach), implementing the solution, and, lastly, fixing errors, or maintaining the software.
Benefits:
· You can determine the end goal quickly in the early phase.
· No steep learning curve and testing are easy.
· The flow of information is smooth.
Drawbacks:
· Making change is difficult. If any change, then the entire project needs to start again.
· Which tend to extended delivery time.
· Lack of adaptability.
Agile
Agile methodology came into existence because of the limitations in the Waterfall method for managing complex software projects. Unlike the waterfall approach, in Agile, users can frequently suggest feedback to make the software more useful. In Agile methodology, users don’t have to wait until the whole process is finished. As soon as a module is ready, it can be deployed.
When it comes to software development processes, Agile is an iterative team-based approach. Iteration means quick delivery, or the complete process could have been replicated again to adjust and adapt for better results.
The characteristics of the agile method of software development involve operating in sprints or iterations — that last from one to four weeks, intending to deliver new features at the end of each iteration. Among each of these iterations includes planning, review of specifications, design, coding, testing, and documentation development.
Benefits:
· Instant feedback for enhancement
· More flexible
· Less re-work needed on projects
· Easy collaboration
Drawbacks:
· The end result can not be predicted easily
· Not suitable for extensive projects
· Lack of documentation during the development process
Scrum
Scrum acquired several principles and processes from Agile. The scrum methodology’s purpose is to increase efficiency, where progress has been halted.
Key features of the Scrum include the creation of a living backlog of prioritized work to be completed in sprints/iterations. In Scrum’s daily meeting at which the progress and direction of the project are discussed, a planning session at which backlogged tasks are selected for the next sprint.
In essence, Scrum’s goal is to motivate a self-management team to execute and identify roles and responsibilities to build a healthy balance between doing the right thing, the right way, as quickly as possible.
Scrum supports using a small, cross-functional team of up to 9 people working on items that have been set and prioritized in a backlog (a list of user reviews or requirements).
Benefits:
· Mistakes can be identified easily.
· Large projects can be divided into small sprints.
· Enable teams to deliver the complete project efficiently and quickly.
Drawbacks:
· Might lead to project failure if teams are not fully committed.
· For newbie adopting, Scrum can be difficult.
· Not suited for large teams.
Lean
Lean methodology is all about increasing the efficiency of a project. Or in simpler words doing more with fewer resources.
The so-called minimally viable product (MVP) is the key notion in this framework. This is a minimal prototype of future development, which has essential software features.
The Lean model works in learning cycles — each new release of an MVP helps to collect valuable end-user feedback and use that information to build the next release until the final release.
Benefits:
· Help to cut costs
· Better quality of development
· More value to customers
Drawbacks:
· Learning on the go is impossible.
· Developers might lose focus on the initial objectives.
· A wrong understanding of documentation may interrupt the development.
Kanban
Kanban is a technique used to manage the software development process most effectively and efficiently. The Kanban methodology is less structured than Scrum and has no process framework, but only has an introduced model that enhances the function through incremental improvements.
Kanban offers an easy visual overview of all on-going tasks and processes and in what stage they’re in (ex: To-do, on-going, completed).
That view is particularly useful in defining activities that the team has not yet discussed. With this information, you can transfer goals, allocate team members’ work on a specific project, or, if necessary, extend the team.
Benefits:
· Support decision making with an early warning system.
· Reduces time cycle of the process.
· Get a holistic view of the entire process.
Drawbacks:
· Not accurate all the time.
· Not suitable for complex projects.
· Adjusting to fewer and focused tasks can be a challenge.
Conclusion
Above mentioned project management methodologies are the most used and well-known techniques for software development. There are other methodologies, such as ‘Critical Path Method’, ‘Hybrid,’ ‘Spiral,’ ‘XP,’ ‘RAD,’ etc.
While choosing a method in advance and sticking with it is simpler and more effective, you can also turn to another during the project if the one you are using doesn’t work out. When using various methods, take note of which ones fit well with certain project styles and circumstances.
This will reduce the process of choosing the effective methodology next-time you come across any similar kind of software project.
