Introduction

The IT environment is developing day by day. The profitability of IT companies depends on effective teamwork. Software development services have to be supplied in a matter of seconds for customer recognition. 

Software development lifecycle or SDLC is based on such kinds of processes: planning, designing, testing, developing, and building excellent software using cost-effective solutions. Saving time is the most important in SDLC. Creating an appropriate, effective product in a short-term period requires high expertise.

Models in software development are high-powered techniques for teams who have the purpose of quality and quick reaching of all tasks. With this in mind, leaders must choose suitable ones for their companies. In this way, team workers and IT enterprises, in general, will accelerate their productivity, and outcomes.

This article proposes you scrutinize common software development models, their descriptions, and features. All your possible questions will be disclosed.

Software development lifecycle, definition, and meaning

SDLC regards exactly IT companies that work for high-quality results, so they have to devote much time searching for a suitable model. To examine all software development processes, firstly, you should consider the SDLC definition. 

The software development lifecycle is a process that creates software with high quality and the lowest cost in a short time.

To choose the software development model you should inspect all of the SDLC phases, and recognize their importance for IT enterprise.

There are 7 phases of SDLC

  • Planning

The first step is building proper software. In this stage, developers plan their future projects, discuss all details, and create written notes and detailed moves to their goals. Also, the timeframe is included in the schedule list.

  • Analysis 

This phase is characterized by gathering information, ideas, and all special details for the first template. Overviewing other prototypes in order to search for requirements, their estimating, and performing analyses for a better understanding of end users' needs.

  • Design 

Before the main development phase, this step is the most important. Software models must be drawn for the overall app, then this example will be improved and brought to the parts of the programming language. A detailed plan of operation for manufacturers is created here with appropriate consistency.

Interfaces, databases, and network requirements are also built in this phase.

  • Development

The most important moment is when developers write code and directly build the required applications. They rely on previous documents, templates, requirements, and specifications.

  • Testing

To launch the software, firstly, builders must test it, in order to be sure that it doesn't have bugs or hidden unsolved problems. Meeting the needs of customers is the most important thing, so testing will detect mistakes, and prevent possible failure.

  • Launch and Integration

When problems were detected and fixed, the software design is brought together into one mechanism. The information system will be integrated into its environment and installed. After this stage application can be provided for the market.

These phases accompany any IT enterprise. It is necessary to understand models in software engineering for the quality use of these stages. Custom software development company supplies completed software created with all requirements and compliance of all stages of SDLC.

Development models, descriptions, and features

There are 3 main models

  • Waterfall 
  • Iterative
  • Spiral

Now, let's consider software engineering models in more detail, it will help you to choose the worthy variant.

Our team has compiled a list of the most weighty features of 5 model types.

Features of Models

Model

Advantages

Disadvantages

Waterfall

Every phase of development must be completed or processed only after the previous one, this thread can’t be interrupted.

Bugs can be detected and fixed at most throughout the phase.

Iterative 

In this type of model at the very beginning, we can create a high-level design of the app before we start to build the entire product. 

Each phase is rigid with no overlaps.

Spiral 

Risk handling at every phase, flexibility in requirements.

Not suitable for small projects.

Agile

Fast, continuous delivery of useful software. The main interaction between individuals.

Protecting and documentation are not the main figures, they lack accented.

DevOps 

The newest approach for SDLC. It comes from Agile and lean methodology.

Costs due to misuse. Demands skills.

Let's skim through a short summary of each model.

Waterfall model

This Software model also can be called a cascade model. Its template is built as a consistency of points that must be completed step by step. Each of the development stages continues the previous one. This thread can’t be interrupted. To start a new one firstly you must do prior. It is really convenient and useful. Make sure you did the step appropriately then you will get access to the second one. 

Nonetheless, the main con of its model is that mistakes are detected and fixed only during the phase. You will not fix it later if you find something inappropriate. The only option is to remake all work done. The waterfall model of software development is the most suitable and rooted version of product building.

Iterative

Development model predicts the dividing of the project cycle on consistent interactions where each of them looks like a single mini project. All SDLC are included in this mini project for creating smaller functional fragments. Decreasing risks and early detection of bugs according to model functions are strengths of this solution.

Successful realization of the project is under the control of the Iterative model.

Hovewer, not fixed budget, and terms are important disadvantages. In this model, developers have to interact with customers during each step directly. In most cases, it is not suitable for clients.

Spiral

Software engineering models include a wide range of advantages. The spiral type is no exception. This model is determined as a control process model generator of risks for software projects. The essence of the spiral type consists of the created end product that is presented on a square divided into 4 sectors. Each of them represents diverse stages of development. The most important is concentration on risks, the appropriate stage is reserved for this moment. Flexibility for changing terms and requirements in most late stages is available. However, the price on the market to purchase such a development plan for your software creation can be impressive, this is the most weighty minus.

Agile

Dev model is based on the iteration model where requirements and joining evolve through cooperation between multifunctional teams that are able to self-organization. This conception is built as prints. Its transparency provides an opportunity for clients to take part in the organization and development, detecting functions and priorities. All schedules and timeframes are included in this model. Sprints have a fixed duration thus timeframe and expenses are predicted. 

Nevertheless, protection and documentation lack accented. This is the main weakness of the agile method.

DevOps

The newest methodology makes an accent on estimating the cooperation between the development and operational staff throughout the whole software development lifecycle. The main purpose of the model is to provide a single method that will meet programmers' and testers' needs. All its principles are based on elements of  Agile and Lean systems. By the way, inappropriate use can lead to additional expenses. This methodology requires skills in using.

Conclusion

Software process models are diverse and include different approaches to the development of software but nonetheless, they exactly include the aforementioned stages. They also have the difference between timeframe, costs, capabilities, risks, detecting bugs, etc. 

In this article, we considered the software development lifecycle, its definition, and its stages. Also, compiled a list of common software development models, their descriptions, and features.