What are the Software Development Methodologies?

Software Development Methodologies are systematic approaches used to structure,

plan, and control the software development process. These methodologies provide a
set of guidelines and principles that ensure software development projects are
completed efficiently, on time, and within budget. Some of the most commonly used
software development methodologies include the following:
●​ Agile Methodology
●​ Waterfall Model
●​ Scrum Framework
●​ DevOps
●​ Lean Development
●​ Prototype Model
●​ Rapid Application Development (RAD)
●​ Spiral Model
●​ Iterative and Incremental Development (IID)
●​ Extreme Programming (XP)
Each methodology has its own set of principles, benefits, and drawbacks. The selection
of a method depends on the software project's requirements, the size of the team, and
other factors such as project timelines, budget, and risks involved.
Software Development Best Practices
Given below are some modern software development practices that will help developers
create higher quality software.
1. Be Clear with Requirements
One of the most important software development standards and best practices includes
being aware of your product or services requirements. Programmers must follow certain
best practices to implement software development processes consistently.
One approach is to create a Software Requirements Specification Document (SRSD)
that outlines software requirements and design specifications. The SRSD should
include details on software design characteristics, decisions, constraints, and design
diagrams, eliminating the need to ask for clarification.
Another best practice is to keep all projects open for review to ensure that software is
thoroughly reviewed before entering the release cycle. Other essential techniques
include code reviews, software testing, and creating troubleshooting documentation.
Neglecting these best practices can lead to undetected bugs and make it difficult to
identify their origin.
2. Proper Development Process
A systematic approach to software development is essential for any project. The
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provides a detailed flowchart with specific
goals and actionable items. This approach ensures that methodologies align with
complete objectives and helps teams and clients set expectations. The choice of SDLC
depends on the project requirements, client demands, specifications, and timeframes.
Agile development is ideal for fast-paced environments, with multiple teams working
collaboratively to identify problems and streamline processes quickly. It is commonly
used by large organizations such as Apple, Microsoft, and IBM.
On the other hand, the waterfall approach is a step-by-step methodology that focuses
on a logical and careful approach to program development. It is commonly used by new
or beginner software developers to create their programs and improve their attention to
detail. Although it has lost popularity due to its inability to adapt to sudden changes, it
can still benefit those seeking a structured approach to program development. Overall,
SDLC is an essential framework for successful software development.
3. Use an Application Framework
It's essential for software developers to use application frameworks instead of
developing software from scratch. Frameworks provide reusable software components
and tools that simplify the development process.
By utilizing these frameworks, programmers can focus on writing code instead of
spending time on repetitive tasks such as file format conversions and database
management.
Choosing the right language, framework and platform at the beginning of a project is
crucial, as modifying them later can be difficult and time-consuming.
Using an application framework also reduces the likelihood of encountering errors and
ensures compatibility across different platforms. In a nutshell, application frameworks
are a best practice that can save time and improve efficiency in software development.
4. Keep Your Code Easy to Understand
Keeping your code simple is considered a good software development practice you can
adopt. It not only helps to maintain coherence in your code but also makes it easy to
modify and repurpose. Complex code can quickly spiral out of control with one mistake,
so simplicity is key.
There are three simple checks you can perform to determine if your code is simple:
●​ Your code is easy to test and understand.
 ●​ Your code has logic boundaries that are confined to a single domain.
●​ Your code is much shorter than the comments needed to explain it.
By keeping these checks in mind and striving to simplify your code, you can make
coding a smoother and more efficient process.
5. Work in Pairs or Integrate Code Reviews
Another one of the software development team best practices is working in pairs or
conducting code reviews to improve code quality, communication, collaboration,
knowledge transfer, and consistency in the codebase.
When you pair up with another developer or review code with a team member, it will
help you catch errors, improve the codebase, and share ideas.
Conducting code reviews can also help with knowledge transfer for new team members
and maintain consistency by promoting best practices.
Having team members review each other's code ensures that all code adheres to the
same standards, making future development easier. Overall, integrating code reviews
into your development process can have significant benefits for your team and
codebase.
6. Write Unit Tests Before You Write Software Code
It is essential to conduct continuous testing throughout the software development
process to identify errors and bugs in the code. Even big software companies don't wait
until all code is in place before testing it; neither should you.
Continuous testing helps you understand the code you've created and what you still
need to do. Pinpointing a single error causing a bug is difficult, so building testing into
your workflow is necessary.
To get started with continuous testing, you should understand DevOps testing concepts
and consider shift left testing to detect errors early. Automating testing at regular
intervals and exploring testing as a service are other options for identifying and
correcting mistakes.
7. Employ an Issue Tracker for Your Software
Issue tracking software is a tool used for reporting software bugs or issues during
software development. By using issue-tracking software, developers can report and
address issues early on in the development process, preventing the need for costly
fixes later on.​
Issue tracking software enables everyone involved in the project to see what is being
worked on and the issues that need attention. Neglecting to use these tools can lead to
project failures, and it is crucial to incorporate them from the beginning of the project.
8. Implement Continuous Integration Software Development Best
Practices
A common software development practice called continuous integration (CI). It entails
combining changes from different workers into a shared repository and evaluating the
combined code to ensure it combines effectively. This helps catch issues early in the
development process, reducing the risk of bugs and other problems.
To implement Continuous Integration software development best practices, follow these
steps:
1.​ Establish a shared code repository, such as Git, that all developers working on a
project can push their updates to.
2.​ Set up an automated build process to compile the code and run tests
automatically.
3.​ Configure the build process to run on every code change, ensuring that each
change is thoroughly tested.
4.​ Use a Continuous Integration server like Jenkins or Travis CI to manage the build
and testing process.
5.​ Ensure all developers can access the Continuous Integration server to monitor
the build and test results.
6.​ Set up notifications to alert developers when a build or test fails, so they can
quickly address any issues.
7.​ Ensure that all team members understand the importance of Continuous
Integration and are committed to using it.
By following these software development best practices for Continuous Integration, you
can improve the quality of your code and catch issues early in the development
process, leading to a more efficient and successful software development project. You
can pursue KnowledgeHut’s Full Stack Development courses to learn software
development from industry experts.
9. Use a Version Control System
One of the best practices for software development projects is to use a version control
system if multiple developers work on the same software project.
Simultaneous work on new features or bug fixes is possible with version control tools,
and it eliminates the possibility of developers overwriting each other's code. Moreover,
version control systems enable you to go back to previous versions if any errors are
made without causing any interruptions to the work of other team members.
Git and GitHub are the most widely used version control systems, and GitHub is a
web-based Git hosting service. GitHub's pull requests feature enhances version control
by allowing you to merge explicit and redundant commits, making your Git cleaner and
more readable. Other version control tools include CVS, SVN, and Mercurial.
10. Use a Virtual Machine for Sandboxing
Another best practice for software developers is to use a virtual machine for
sandboxing. A virtual machine is a software implementation of an operating system that
provides a controlled environment for testing and upgrading components, managing
dependencies, and more.
This approach also allows greater control over the sandboxing environment, even when
running on a potentially unsafe third-party guest virtual machine image. Sandbox
restrictions prevent applications from accessing privileged resources, such as system
calls, file access, and process management.
Virtual machines are ideal for sandboxing untrusted code and can be implemented as
complete operating systems or using application containers like Docker or user
namespaces in the Linux kernel. This approach adds another layer of protection against
attackers attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in the application.
11. Use a Code Signing Certificate
Using a code signing certificate to sign your software can help establish your identity as
the creator and ensure its integrity. This is one of the software development coding
standards and is important for several reasons.
If you care about preventing unauthorized copying of your software, you should sign it.
By protecting your software, you are also protecting your intellectual property. The
process of signing software has evolved over time, with technological advancements
improving it. In the past, it was challenging for developers to sign their software using a
code-signing certificate, particularly when it was distributed on CDs.
The absence of a verification procedure resulted in anyone being able to duplicate the
complete software application onto a different disk. Digital signatures were introduced
as a secure way of signing documents and software to combat this. Rather than burning
the software onto optical media, it could be stored on a locked flash drive or another
secure storage device. However, this still did not prevent others from copying and
distributing the software.
12. Use The Right Software
Using the right software is essential for efficient and effective software development. The
software you choose should be tailored to your needs and have features matching your
requirements. For example, if you're developing a mobile app, you need to use software
designed specifically for development.
Choosing the right software can be difficult, but some essential factors must be considered.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right software:
 ●​ Identify your requirements: Before looking for software, identify what you need
it to do. Make a list of required features and prioritize them based on their
importance.
●​ Research your options: Research the available options that meet your
requirements. Consider their features, ease of use, and compatibility with your
existing tools.
●​ Read reviews: Read reviews of the software you're considering. Look for
reviews from users in a similar industry or with similar needs to yours.
●​ Try before you buy: Many software providers offer free trials or demos of their
software. Use these to test the software and see if it meets your needs.
●​ Consider cost: Cost is always a factor in software selection. Consider the
upfront cost, ongoing maintenance costs, and any licensing or subscription fees.
●​ Look for support: Choose software with good support, including online help,
documentation, and customer service.
By choosing the right software, you can save time and money in the long run and improve your
software development process.
13. Keep Documenting Your Progress
Documenting your progress is one of the most important software development best
practices. It involves keeping track of your work, including code changes, issues, and
resolutions. Documentation helps you keep track of your progress and provides a
record of what you’ve done, which is helpful for future reference.
Documentation can take many forms, including comments in your code, commit
messages, project notes, and user manuals. Good documentation should be clear,
concise, and easy to understand. It should also be kept up-to-date and organized to
make it easy to find what you’re looking for.
One of the main benefits of documenting your progress is that it helps you avoid
repeating mistakes. You can learn from your mistakes and improve your future work by
keeping a record of what you've done. Documentation also helps other team members
understand your work, making it easier for them to collaborate and build upon it.
Another benefit of documenting your progress is that it can help you identify patterns
and trends in your work. For example, if you notice that you frequently encounter a
particular issue, you can investigate and address the root cause. This can help you
improve the quality of your work and reduce the time it takes to complete future
projects.
14. Pay Attention to Style Guides
To ensure consistency and maintainability of code, paying attention to style guides is a
vital software development best practice. A style guide provides guidelines on writing
code and ensures that code is consistent, readable, and easy to understand. This helps
to reduce the time and effort required to maintain and update code in the long run.
A good style guide should cover naming conventions, formatting, commenting, and
coding practices. It should be easy to understand and apply and should be updated
regularly to reflect coding standards and procedure changes.
Using a style guide helps ensure that all team developers write code that adheres to the
same standards. This makes it easier to collaborate on projects, as team members can
read and understand each other's code more efficiently. It also helps new team
members to get up to speed quickly and reduces the likelihood of introducing errors into
the code.
Additionally, adhering to a style guide can improve code quality and reduce the risk of
security vulnerabilities.
15. Design Before Coding
Following good software development practices is paramount to creating the best
software. It involves planning and visualizing the software application before writing any
code. This involves creating a detailed plan of the software's functionality, user
interface, and architecture.​
Designing before coding helps to ensure that the software meets the requirements of
the users and stakeholders. It also helps identify potential issues or limitations early in
the development process, saving time and resources later on.
Software developers can use various design techniques, such as wireframing,
prototyping, and creating mockups. These techniques allow developers to visualize the
software's design and functionality before writing code.
Designing before coding also helps ensure the software is scalable and maintainable. A
well-designed software architecture can make it easier to add new features and
functionalities in the future. It also helps ensure that the code is easier to maintain and
debug, saving time and resources in the long run.
16. Don’t Push too Many Features
It is one of the industry best practices for software development. Pushing too many
features at once can be tempting but is a dangerous practice in software development.
Adding too many elements at once in software development can overwhelm users,
increase complexity, delay release, and increase the risk of introducing bugs.
Prioritizing features and adding them one at a time can help avoid these issues,
allowing for careful testing and refinement of each element before moving on to the
next. This approach also makes it easier to maintain and debug code, ensuring a
positive user experience that isn't overwhelming.
17. Maintain Staging and Production Environments
Maintaining separate staging and production environments is crucial for successful
software development and is one of the software development environment best
practices. With a staging environment, developers can test software changes in a
controlled environment, debug issues without impacting users, apply security patches,
recover from disasters, and perform performance testing.
Testing in a staging environment allows for automation and manual testing to ensure
everything is working as expected and simulate real-world traffic.
Debugging is more accessible in a staging environment because it is isolated from the
production environment, and security patches can be tested before they are deployed to
the production environment. Ultimately, maintaining separate staging and production
environments ensures that software changes are thoroughly tested and verified before
they are deployed to users.
18. Adapt Software Development Standards
Adapting software development standards ensures your software meets project
requirements, team strengths, changing technologies, and continuous improvement.
While development standards provide a valuable framework for software quality, they
may need to be adapted to suit project needs, team composition, and evolving
technologies.
Adapting development standards to your project can help ensure your software is
delivered on time and within budget. Adapting to team strengths can help ensure
everyone works efficiently and effectively. Adapting to changing technologies can help
ensure your software remains up-to-date and relevant. Finally, regular evaluation and
updates to development standards can ensure your team constantly improves and
delivers high-quality software. It’s surely one of the software development workflow best
practices.
How These Best Practices Will Impact Your Projects?
Adopting software development best practices can significantly impact your projects.
The techniques can dramatically increase the chances of success for your projects.
They ensure that your code is scalable, efficient, and maintainable. Moreover, there will
be less risk of errors and security vulnerabilities. These practices will also improve team
productivity and collaboration.
For instance, using agile methodologies can help your team to be more responsive to
changing requirements and improve communication and collaboration among team
members. Writing automated tests and performing code reviews can catch errors early
on, leading to fewer bugs in the final product. Using version control systems like Git
helps to manage code changes and collaborate with other developers.
By following secure software development best practices, you can create software that
is of higher quality, more reliable, and easier to maintain in the long run. It also ensures
that your team works efficiently and effectively towards the common goal of delivering a
successful project.

Implementation Ensures Success

These top software development best practices 2023 are essential for developers to
know and implement in their projects. From the early stages of design and planning
through development, testing, and deployment, these practices help ensure software
products' quality, reliability, and security.
By following these best practices, developers can improve collaboration, productivity,
and communication with their team members and stakeholders while reducing costs,
avoiding errors, and meeting project deadlines.
However, it's important to remember that software development is an ever-evolving
field, and developers must be adaptable and open to learning new techniques and tools.
Continuously evaluating and refining these best practices can help developers stay
up-to-date and ensure the success of their projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the 5 software development phases?
It includes planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
2. Which SDLC model is best?
There is no one "best" SDLC model, as each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
The choice of model depends on the specific project requirements and constraints.
However, Waterfall Model, Agile Model, Spiral Model, and V-Model are most commonly
used nowadays.
3. What are the levels of a software developer?
The levels of a software developer can vary depending on the company or organization
but generally include Junior Developer, Intermediate Developer, Senior Developer, Lead
Developer, and Architect. Some companies, such as Principal Developer or Technical
Fellow, may also have additional levels.
4. Which field is best for software developers?
The field you choose may depend on your interests, skills, and career goals. There are
many fields and industries that require software developers, such as finance,
healthcare, e-commerce, entertainment, and many more. Researching different
industries and job opportunities is essential to find the best fit for you.
5. Which software skill is most in demand?
Various software skills are currently in high demand. Some of the most sought-after
skills include cloud computing, AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning,
cybersecurity, mobile development, and full-stack development.
 SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle)
The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a structured process that is used
to design, develop, and test good-quality software. SDLC, or software
development life cycle is a methodology that defines the entire procedure of
software development step-by-step. The goal of the SDLC life cycle model is to
deliver high-quality, maintainable software that meets the user’s requirements. SDLC in
software engineering models outlines the plan for each stage so that each stage of the
software development model can perform its task efficiently to deliver the software at a
low cost within a given time frame that meets users’ requirements.

What is SDLC?
SDLC stands for software development life cycle. It is a process followed for
software building within a software organization. SDLC consists of a precise plan
that describes how to develop, maintain, replace, and enhance specific software. The
life cycle defines a method for improving the quality of software and the all-around
development process.

What is the need for SDLC?

SDLC is a method, approach, or process that is followed by a software development
organization while developing any software. SDLC models were introduced to follow a
disciplined and systematic method while designing software. With the software
development life cycle, the process of software design is divided into small parts, which
makes the problem more understandable and easier to solve. SDLC comprises a
detailed description or step-by-step plan for designing, developing, testing, and
maintaining the software.

Stages of the Software Development Life Cycle Model

SDLC specifies the task(s) to be performed at various stages by a software engineer or
developer. It ensures that the end product is able to meet the customer’s expectations
and fits within the overall budget. Hence, it’s vital for a software developer to have prior
knowledge of this software development process.
The SDLC model involves six phases or stages while developing any software.
SDLC is a collection of these six stages, and the stages of SDLC are as follows:

Stage-1: Planning and Requirement Analysis

Planning is a crucial step in everything, just as in software development. In this same
stage, requirement analysis is also performed by the developers of the organization.
This is attained from customer inputs, and sales department/market surveys.
The information from this analysis forms the building blocks of a basic project. The
quality of the project is a result of planning. Thus, in this stage, the basic project is
designed with all the available information.

Stage-2: Defining Requirements

In this stage, all the requirements for the target software are specified. These
requirements get approval from customers, market analysts, and stakeholders. ​
This is fulfilled by utilizing SRS (Software Requirement Specification). This is a sort of
document that specifies all those things that need to be defined and created during the
entire project cycle.

Stage-3: Designing Architecture

SRS is a reference for software designers to come up with the best architecture for the
software. Hence, with the requirements defined in SRS, multiple designs for the product
architecture are present in the Design Document Specification (DDS). ​
This DDS is assessed by market analysts and stakeholders. After evaluating all the
possible factors, the most practical and logical design is chosen for development.

Stage-4: Developing Product

At this stage, the fundamental development of the product starts. For this, developers
use a specific programming code as per the design in the DDS. Hence, it is important
for the coders to follow the protocols set by the association. Conventional programming
tools like compilers, interpreters, debuggers, etc. are also put into use at this stage.
Some popular languages like C/C++, Python, Java, etc. are put into use as per the
software regulations.

Stage-5: Product Testing and Integration

After the development of the product, testing of the software is necessary to ensure its
smooth execution. Although, minimal testing is conducted at every stage of SDLC.
Therefore, at this stage, all the probable flaws are tracked, fixed, and retested. This
ensures that the product confronts the quality requirements of SRS.
Documentation, Training, and Support: Software documentation is an essential part
of the software development life cycle. A well-written document acts as a tool and
means to the information repository necessary to know about software processes,
functions, and maintenance. Documentation also provides information about how to use
the product. Training in an attempt to improve the current or future employee
performance by increasing an employee’s ability to work through learning, usually by
changing his attitude and developing his skills and understanding.

Stage 6: Deployment and Maintenance of Products

After detailed testing, the conclusive product is released in phases as per the
organization’s strategy. Then it is tested in a real industrial environment. It is important
to ensure its smooth performance. If it performs well, the organization sends out the
product as a whole. After retrieving beneficial feedback, the company releases it as it is
or with auxiliary improvements to make it further helpful for the customers. However,
this alone is not enough. Therefore, along with the deployment, the product’s
supervision.

Software Development Life Cycle Models

To this day, we have more than 50 recognized SDLC models in use. But None of them
is perfect, and each brings its favorable aspects and disadvantages for a specific
software development project or a team.
In this article, We’ve listed the top five most popular SDLC models below.

1. Waterfall Model
It is the fundamental model of the software development life cycle. This is a very simple
model. The waterfall model is not in practice anymore, but it is the basis for all other
SDLC models. Because of its simple structure, the waterfall model is easier to use and
provides a tangible output. In the waterfall model, once a phase seems to be completed,
it cannot be changed, and due to this less flexible nature, the waterfall model is not in
practice anymore.

2. Agile Model
The agile model was mainly designed to adapt to changing requests quickly. The main
goal of the Agile model is to facilitate quick project completion. The agile model refers
to a group of development processes. These processes have some similar
characteristics but also possess certain subtle differences among themselves.
3. Iterative Model
In the iterative model, each cycle results in a semi-developed but deployable version;
with each cycle, some requirements are added to the software, and the final cycle
results in the software with the complete requirement specification.

4. Spiral Model
The spiral model is one of the most crucial SDLC models that provides support for risk
handling. It has various spirals in its diagrammatic representation; the number of spirals
depends upon the type of project. Each loop in the spiral structure indicates the Phases
of the Spiral model.
5. V-Shaped Model
The V-shaped model is executed in a sequential manner. Each stage or phase of this
model is integrated with a testing phase. After every development phase, a testing
phase is associated with it, and the next phase will start once the previous phase is
completed, i.e., development & testing. It is also known as the verification or validation
model.

6.Big Bang Model

The Big Bang model in SDLC is a term used to describe an informal and unstructured
approach to software development, where there is no specific planning, documentation,
or well-defined phases.

Conclusion
In conclusion, we now know that Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) software
engineering is an important framework for the better and more structured
development of optimized software programs. In a world full of rapid evolution in
technology, SDLC phases play a crucial role in enabling some good and innovative
solutions for helping users and organizations. Also, it’s better to adapt SDLC principles
to achieve software development goals effectively.
FAQs on Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
1. What is the Software Development Life Cycle?
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is basically a cost-effective process that
is used to design and build good software. It is a time-efficient process.

2. Which model is best in the SDLC Methodology?

The Agile Model is best in SDLC Methodology.

3. Which SDLC model is the first Software Model?

The Waterfall Model is the first process that has been introduced in the SDLC.

Waterfall Model – Software Engineering

The classical waterfall model is the basic software development life cycle model. It is
very simple but idealistic. Earlier this model was very popular but nowadays it is not
used. But it is very important because all the other software development life cycle
models are based on the classical waterfall model.
Why Do We Use the Waterfall Model?
The waterfall model is a software development model used in the context of large,
complex projects, typically in the field of information technology. It is characterized by a
structured, sequential approach to project management and software development.
The waterfall model is useful in situations where the project requirements are
well-defined and the project goals are clear. It is often used for large-scale projects with
long timelines, where there is little room for error and the project stakeholders need to
have a high level of confidence in the outcome.
Features of the Waterfall Model

1.​ Sequential Approach: The waterfall model involves a sequential approach to

software development, where each phase of the project is completed before
moving on to the next one.
2.​ Document-Driven: The waterfall model relies heavily on documentation to
ensure that the project is well-defined and the project team is working towards a
clear set of goals.
3.​ Quality Control: The waterfall model places a high emphasis on quality control
and testing at each phase of the project, to ensure that the final product meets
the requirements and expectations of the stakeholders.
 4.​ Rigorous Planning: The waterfall model involves a rigorous planning process,
where the project scope, timelines, and deliverables are carefully defined and
monitored throughout the project lifecycle.

Overall, the waterfall model is used in situations where there is a need for a highly
structured and systematic approach to software development. It can be effective in
ensuring that large, complex projects are completed on time and within budget, with a
high level of quality and customer satisfaction.
Phases of Classical Waterfall Model
Waterfall Model is a classical software development methodology that was first
introduced by Winston W. Royce in 1970. It is a linear and sequential approach to
software development that consists of several phases that must be completed in a
specific order. The phases include:

1.​ Requirements Gathering and Analysis: The first phase involves gathering
requirements from stakeholders and analyzing them to understand the scope and
objectives of the project.
2.​ Design: Once the requirements are understood, the design phase begins. This
involves creating a detailed design document that outlines the software
architecture, user interface, and system components.
3.​ Implementation: The implementation phase involves coding the software based
on the design specifications. This phase also includes unit testing to ensure that
each component of the software is working as expected.
4.​ Testing: In the testing phase, the software is tested as a whole to ensure that it
meets the requirements and is free from defects.
5.​ Deployment: Once the software has been tested and approved, it is deployed to
the production environment.
6.​ Maintenance: The final phase of the Waterfall Model is maintenance, which
involves fixing any issues that arise after the software has been deployed and
ensuring that it continues to meet the requirements over time.

The classical waterfall model divides the life cycle into a set of phases. This model
considers that one phase can be started after the completion of the previous phase.
That is the output of one phase will be the input to the next phase. Thus the
development process can be considered as a sequential flow in the waterfall. Here the
phases do not overlap with each other. The different sequential phases of the classical
waterfall model are shown in the below figure.
 Phases of Classical Waterfall Model
Let us now learn about each of these phases in detail.
1. Feasibility Study
The main goal of this phase is to determine whether it would be financially and
technically feasible to develop the software. ​
The feasibility study involves understanding the problem and then determining the
various possible strategies to solve the problem. These different identified solutions are
analyzed based on their benefits and drawbacks, The best solution is chosen and all the
other phases are carried out as per this solution strategy.

2. Requirements Analysis and Specification

The aim of the requirement analysis and specification phase is to understand the exact
requirements of the customer and document them properly. This phase consists of two
different activities.

●​ Requirement gathering and analysis: Firstly all the requirements regarding the
software are gathered from the customer and then the gathered requirements are
analyzed. The goal of the analysis part is to remove incompleteness (an
incomplete requirement is one in which some parts of the actual requirements
have been omitted) and inconsistencies (an inconsistent requirement is one in
which some part of the requirement contradicts some other part).
 ●​ Requirement specification: These analyzed requirements are documented in a
software requirement specification (SRS) document. SRS document serves as a
contract between the development team and customers. Any future dispute
between the customers and the developers can be settled by examining the SRS
document.

3. Design
The goal of this phase is to convert the requirements acquired in the SRS into a format
that can be coded in a programming language. It includes high-level and detailed design
as well as the overall software architecture. A Software Design Document is used to
document all of this effort (SDD)

4. Coding and Unit Testing

In the coding phase software design is translated into source code using any suitable
programming language. Thus each designed module is coded. The aim of the unit
testing phase is to check whether each module is working properly or not.

5. Integration and System testing

Integration of different modules is undertaken soon after they have been coded and unit
tested. Integration of various modules is carried out incrementally over a number of
steps. During each integration step, previously planned modules are added to the
partially integrated system and the resultant system is tested. Finally, after all the
modules have been successfully integrated and tested, the full working system is
obtained and system testing is carried out on this. ​
System testing consists of three different kinds of testing activities as described below.

●​ Alpha testing: Alpha testing is the system testing performed by the development
team.
●​ Beta testing: Beta testing is the system testing performed by a friendly set of
customers.
●​ Acceptance testing: After the software has been delivered, the customer
performed acceptance testing to determine whether to accept the delivered
software or reject it.

6. Maintenance
Maintenance is the most important phase of a software life cycle. The effort spent on
maintenance is 60% of the total effort spent to develop a full software. There are
basically three types of maintenance.
 ●​ Corrective Maintenance: This type of maintenance is carried out to correct
errors that were not discovered during the product development phase.
●​ Perfective Maintenance: This type of maintenance is carried out to enhance the
functionalities of the system based on the customer’s request.
●​ Adaptive Maintenance: Adaptive maintenance is usually required for porting the
software to work in a new environment such as working on a new computer
platform or with a new operating system.

Advantages of the Classical Waterfall Model

The classical waterfall model is an idealistic model for software development. It is very
simple, so it can be considered the basis for other software development life cycle
models. Below are some of the major advantages of this SDLC model.

●​ Easy to Understand: Classical Waterfall Model is very simple and easy to

understand.
●​ Individual Processing: Phases in the Classical Waterfall model are processed
one at a time.
●​ Properly Defined: In the classical waterfall model, each stage in the model is
clearly defined.
●​ Clear Milestones: Classical Waterfall model has very clear and well-understood
milestones.
●​ Properly Documented: Processes, actions, and results are very well
documented.
●​ Reinforces Good Habits: Classical Waterfall Model reinforces good habits like
define-before-design and design-before-code.
●​ Working: Classical Waterfall Model works well for smaller projects and projects
where requirements are well understood.

Disadvantages of the Classical Waterfall Model

The Classical Waterfall Model suffers from various shortcomings, basically, we can’t use
it in real projects, but we use other software development lifecycle models which are
based on the classical waterfall model. Below are some major drawbacks of this model.

●​ No Feedback Path: In the classical waterfall model evolution of software from

one phase to another phase is like a waterfall. It assumes that no error is ever
committed by developers during any phase. Therefore, it does not incorporate
any mechanism for error correction.
●​ Difficult to accommodate Change Requests: This model assumes that all the
customer requirements can be completely and correctly defined at the beginning
of the project, but actually customer’s requirements keep on changing with time.
 It is difficult to accommodate any change requests after the requirements
specification phase is complete.
●​ No Overlapping of Phases: This model recommends that a new phase can
start only after the completion of the previous phase. But in real projects, this
can’t be maintained. To increase efficiency and reduce cost, phases may overlap.
●​ Limited Flexibility: The Waterfall Model is a rigid and linear approach to
software development, which means that it is not well-suited for projects with
changing or uncertain requirements. Once a phase has been completed, it is
difficult to make changes or go back to a previous phase.
●​ Limited Stakeholder Involvement: The Waterfall Model is a structured and
sequential approach, which means that stakeholders are typically involved in the
early phases of the project (requirements gathering and analysis) but may not be
involved in the later phases (implementation, testing, and deployment).
●​ Late Defect Detection: In the Waterfall Model, testing is typically done toward
the end of the development process. This means that defects may not be
discovered until late in the development process, which can be expensive and
time-consuming to fix.
●​ Lengthy Development Cycle: The Waterfall Model can result in a lengthy
development cycle, as each phase must be completed before moving on to the
next. This can result in delays and increased costs if requirements change or
new issues arise.
●​ Not Suitable for Complex Projects: The Waterfall Model is not well-suited for
complex projects, as the linear and sequential nature of the model can make it
difficult to manage multiple dependencies and interrelated components.

Applications of Classical Waterfall Model

●​ Large-scale Software Development Projects: The Waterfall Model is often

used for large-scale software development projects, where a structured and
sequential approach is necessary to ensure that the project is completed on time
and within budget.
●​ Safety-Critical Systems: The Waterfall Model is often used in the development
of safety-critical systems, such as aerospace or medical systems, where the
consequences of errors or defects can be severe.
●​ Government and Defense Projects: The Waterfall Model is also commonly
used in government and defense projects, where a rigorous and structured
approach is necessary to ensure that the project meets all requirements and is
delivered on time.
●​ Projects with well-defined Requirements: The Waterfall Model is best suited
for projects with well-defined requirements, as the sequential nature of the model
requires a clear understanding of the project objectives and scope.
 ●​ Projects with Stable Requirements: The Waterfall Model is also well-suited for
projects with stable requirements, as the linear nature of the model does not
allow for changes to be made once a phase has been completed.

FAQs
1. What is the difference between Waterfall Model and Agile Model?
Answer:
The main difference between the Waterfall Model and the Agile Model is that the
Waterfall model relies on thorough-up front planning whereas the Agile model is more
flexible as it takes these processes in repeating cycles.
2. What are the benefits of the Waterfall Model?
Answer:
The waterfall Model has several benefits as it helps projects keep a well-defined,
predictable project under the budget.

Software Engineering | Agile Development

Models
In earlier days, the Iterative Waterfall Model was very popular for completing a project.
But nowadays, developers face various problems while using it to develop software.
The main difficulties included handling customer change requests during project
development and the high cost and time required to incorporate these changes. To
overcome these drawbacks of the Waterfall Model, in the mid-1990s the Agile Software
Development model was proposed.
The Agile Model was primarily designed to help a project adapt quickly to change
requests. So, the main aim of the Agile model is to facilitate quick project completion. To
accomplish this task, agility is required. Agility is achieved by fitting the process to the
project and removing activities that may not be essential for a specific project. Also,
anything that is a waste of time and effort is avoided.
The Agile Model refers to a group of development processes. These processes share
some basic characteristics but do have certain subtle differences among themselves.

Agile SDLC Models/Methods

●​ Models: Crystal Agile methodology places a strong emphasis on fostering

effective communication and collaboration among team members, as well as
 taking into account the human elements that are crucial for a successful
development process. This methodology is particularly beneficial for projects with
a high degree of uncertainty, where requirements tend to change frequently.
●​ Atern: This methodology is tailored for projects with moderate to high uncertainty
where requirements are prone to change frequently. Its clear-cut roles and
responsibilities focus on delivering working software in short time frames.
Governance practices set it apart and make it an effective approach for teams
and projects.
●​ Feature-driven development: This approach is implemented by utilizing a
series of techniques, like creating feature lists, conducting model evaluations,
and implementing a design-by-feature method, to meet its goal. This
methodology is particularly effective in ensuring that the end product is delivered
on time and that it aligns with the requirements of the customer.
●​ Scrum: This methodology serves as a framework for tackling complex projects
and ensuring their successful completion. It is led by a Scrum Master, who
oversees the process, and a Product Owner, who establishes the priorities. The
Development Team, accountable for delivering the software, is another key
player.
●​ Extreme programming (XP): It uses specific practices like pair programming,
continuous integration, and test-driven development to achieve these goals.
Extreme programming is ideal for projects that have high levels of uncertainty
and require frequent changes, as it allows for quick adaptation to new
requirements and feedback.
●​ Lean Development: It is rooted in the principles of lean manufacturing and aims
to streamline the process by identifying and removing unnecessary steps and
activities. This is achieved through practices such as continuous improvement,
visual management, and value stream mapping, which helps in identifying areas
of improvement and implementing changes accordingly.
●​ Unified Process: Unified Process is a methodology that can be tailored to the
specific needs of any given project. It combines elements of both waterfall and
Agile methodologies, allowing for an iterative and incremental approach to
development. This means that the UP is characterized by a series of iterations,
each of which results in a working product increment, allowing for continuous
improvement and the delivery of value to the customer.

All Agile methodologies discussed above share the same core values and principles,
but they may differ in their implementation and specific practices. Agile development
requires a high degree of collaboration and communication among team members, as
well as a willingness to adapt to changing requirements and feedback from customers.
In the Agile model, the requirements are decomposed into many small parts that can be
incrementally developed. The Agile model adopts Iterative development. Each
incremental part is developed over an iteration. Each iteration is intended to be small
and easily manageable and can be completed within a couple of weeks only. At a time
one iteration is planned, developed, and deployed to the customers. Long-term plans
are not made.

Steps in the Agile Model

The agile model is a combination of iterative and incremental process models. The
steps involve in agile SDLC models are:

●​ Requirement gathering
●​ Design the Requirements
●​ Construction / Iteration
●​ Testing / Quality Assurance
●​ Deployment
●​ Feedback

Steps in Agile Model

1. Requirement Gathering:- In this step, the development team must gather the
requirements, by interaction with the customer. development team should plan the time
and effort needed to build the project. Based on this information you can evaluate
technical and economical feasibility.

2. Design the Requirements:- In this step, the development team will use
user-flow-diagram or high-level UML diagrams to show the working of the new features
and show how they will apply to the existing software. Wireframing and designing user
interfaces are done in this phase.

3. Construction / Iteration:- In this step, development team members start

working on their project, which aims to deploy a working product.

4. Testing / Quality Assurance:- Testing involves Unit Testing, Integration

Testing, and System Testing. A brief introduction of these three tests is as follows:
5. Unit Testing:- Unit testing is the process of checking small pieces of code to ensure
that the individual parts of a program work properly on their own. Unit testing is used to
test individual blocks (units) of code.

●​ Integration Testing:- Integration testing is used to identify and resolve any

issues that may arise when different units of the software are combined.
●​ System Testing:- Goal is to ensure that the software meets the requirements of
the users and that it works correctly in all possible scenarios.

5. Deployment:- In this step, the development team will deploy the working project
to end users.

6. Feedback:- This is the last step of the Agile Model. In this, the team receives
feedback about the product and works on correcting bugs based on feedback provided
by the customer.
The time required to complete an iteration is known as a Time Box. Time-box refers to
the maximum amount of time needed to deliver an iteration to customers. So, the end
date for an iteration does not change. However, the development team can decide to
reduce the delivered functionality during a Time-box if necessary to deliver it on time.
The Agile model’s central principle is delivering an increment to the customer after each
Time-box.
Principles of the Agile Model

●​ To establish close contact with the customer during development and to gain a
clear understanding of various requirements, each Agile project usually includes
a customer representative on the team. At the end of each iteration stakeholders
and the customer representative review, the progress made and re-evaluate the
requirements.
●​ The agile model relies on working software deployment rather than
comprehensive documentation.
●​ Frequent delivery of incremental versions of the software to the customer
representative in intervals of a few weeks.
●​ Requirement change requests from the customer are encouraged and efficiently
incorporated.
●​ It emphasizes having efficient team members and enhancing communications
among them is given more importance. It is realized that improved
communication among the development team members can be achieved through
face-to-face communication rather than through the exchange of formal
documents.
●​ It is recommended that the development team size should be kept small (5 to 9
people) to help the team members meaningfully engage in face-to-face
communication and have a collaborative work environment.
●​ The agile development process usually deploys Pair Programming. In Pair
programming, two programmers work together at one workstation. One does
coding while the other reviews the code as it is typed in. The two programmers
switch their roles every hour or so.

Characteristics of the Agile Process

●​ Agile processes must be adaptable to technical and environmental changes.

That means if any technological changes occur, then the agile process must
accommodate them.
●​ The development of agile processes must be incremental. That means, in each
development, the increment should contain some functionality that can be tested
and verified by the customer.
●​ The customer feedback must be used to create the next increment of the
process.
●​ The software increment must be delivered in a short span of time.
●​ It must be iterative so that each increment can be evaluated regularly.
When To Use the Agile Model?

●​ When frequent modifications need to be made, this method is implemented.

●​ When a highly qualified and experienced team is available.
●​ When a customer is ready to have a meeting with the team all the time.
●​ when the project needs to be delivered quickly.
●​ Projects with few regulatory requirements or not certain requirements.
●​ projects utilizing a less-than-strict current methodology
●​ Those undertakings where the product proprietor is easily reachable
●​ Flexible project schedules and budgets.

Advantages of the Agile Model

●​ Working through Pair programming produces well-written compact programs

which have fewer errors as compared to programmers working alone.
●​ It reduces the total development time of the whole project.
●​ Agile development emphasizes face-to-face communication among team
members, leading to better collaboration and understanding of project goals.
●​ Customer representatives get the idea of updated software products after each
iteration. So, it is easy for him to change any requirement if needed.
●​ Agile development puts the customer at the center of the development process,
ensuring that the end product meets their needs.

Disadvantages of the Agile Model

●​ The lack of formal documents creates confusion and important decisions taken
during different phases can be misinterpreted at any time by different team
members.
●​ It is not suitable for handling complex dependencies.
●​ The agile model depends highly on customer interactions so if the customer is
not clear, then the development team can be driven in the wrong direction.
●​ Agile development models often involve working in short sprints, which can make
it difficult to plan and forecast project timelines and deliverables. This can lead to
delays in the project and can make it difficult to accurately estimate the costs and
resources needed for the project.
●​ Agile development models require a high degree of expertise from team
members, as they need to be able to adapt to changing requirements and work in
an iterative environment. This can be challenging for teams that are not
experienced in agile development practices and can lead to delays and
difficulties in the project.
 ●​ Due to the absence of proper documentation, when the project completes and
the developers are assigned to another project, maintenance of the developed
project can become a problem.

Questions For Practice

1. Which of the following is not a key issue stressed by an agile
philosophy of software engineering?
(A) The importance of self-organizing teams as well as communication and
collaboration between team members and customers
(B) Recognition that change represents an opportunity
(C) Emphasis on rapid delivery of software that satisfies the customer
(D) Having a separate testing phase after a build phase
Solution: Correct Answer is (D).

2. Which of the following is not one of the principles of the agile

software development method?
(A) Following the plan
(B) Embrace change
(C) Customer involvement
(D) Incremental delivery
Solution: Correct Answer is (A).

FAQs On Agile Model

Q.1: What is Product Backlog in Agile?
Answer:
Product Backlog simply refers to the list of features, and tasks that are to be developed
in Software Product. These things are continuously monitored and managed by the
Product Owner.

Q.2: Is it possible to use Agile Model for large and complex Projects?
Answer:
Yes, it is possible to use for Large and Complex Projects, but we need to change some
adaptations for using it like we have to add some frameworks like SAFE (Scaled Agile
Framework) and LeSS (Large-Scale Scrum) to use large and complex projects.
Q.3: What is Sprint Review in Agile Model?
Answer:
Sprint Review is simply a type of meeting that is held at the end of each sprint in the
Agile Model. In this meeting, the development team details the work done to the
stakeholder and Product Owner.

Software Engineering | Iterative Waterfall Model

In a practical software development project, the classical waterfall model is hard to use.
So, the Iterative waterfall model can be thought of as incorporating the necessary
changes to the classical waterfall model to make it usable in practical software
development projects. It is almost the same as the classical waterfall model except
some changes are made to increase the efficiency of the software development.
The iterative waterfall model provides feedback paths from every phase to its preceding
phases, which is the main difference from the classical waterfall model.
Feedback paths introduced by the iterative waterfall model are shown in the figure
below.

When errors are detected at some later phase, these feedback paths allow for
correcting errors committed by programmers during some phase. The feedback paths
allow the phase to be reworked in which errors are committed and these changes are
reflected in the later phases. But, there is no feedback path to the stage – feasibility
study, because once a project has been taken, does not give up the project easily.
It is good to detect errors in the same phase in which they are committed. It reduces the
effort and time required to correct the errors.
The Iterative Waterfall Model is a software development approach that combines
the sequential steps of the traditional Waterfall Model with the flexibility of iterative
design. It allows for improvements and changes to be made at each stage of the
development process, instead of waiting until the end of the project.
Real-life example: Iterative Waterfall Model could be building a new website for a small
business. The process might look like this:

Requirements gathering: This is the first stage where the business owners and
developers meet to discuss the goals and requirements of the website.

Design: In this stage, the developers create a preliminary design of the website based
on the requirements gathered in stage 1.

Implementation: In this stage, the developers begin to build the website based on
the design created in stage 2.

Testing: Once the website has been built, it is tested to ensure that it meets the
requirements and functions properly.

Deployment: The website is then deployed and made live to the public.

Review and improvement: After the website has been live for a while, the
business owners and developers review its performance and make any necessary
improvements.
This process is repeated until the website meets the needs and goals of the business.
Each iteration builds upon the previous one, allowing for continuous improvement and
iteration until the final product is complete.

Phase Containment of Errors: The principle of detecting errors as close to their

points of commitment as possible is known as Phase containment of errors.

Collaboration: Throughout each stage of the process, there is collaboration between

the business owners and developers. This ensures that the website meets the needs of
the business and that any issues or concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
Flexibility: The iterative waterfall model allows for flexibility in the development
process. If changes or new requirements arise, they can be incorporated into the next
iteration of the website.

Testing and feedback: The testing stage of the process is important for identifying any
issues or bugs that need to be addressed before the website is deployed. Additionally,
feedback from users or customers can be gathered and used to improve the website in
subsequent iterations.

Scalability: The iterative waterfall model is scalable, meaning it can be used for
projects of various sizes and complexities. For example, a larger business may require
more iterations or more complex requirements, but the same process can still be
followed.

Maintenance: Once the website is live, ongoing maintenance is necessary to ensure it

continues to meet the needs of the business and its users. The iterative waterfall model
can be used for maintenance and improvement cycles, allowing the website to evolve
and stay up-to-date.
​
Advantages of Iterative Waterfall Model :

●​ Feedback Path –​
In the classical waterfall model, there are no feedback paths, so there is no
mechanism for error correction. But in the iterative waterfall model feedback path
from one phase to its preceding phase allows correcting the errors that are
committed and these changes are reflected in the later phases.
●​ Simple –​
Iterative waterfall model is very simple to understand and use. That’s why it is
one of the most widely used software development models.
●​ Cost-Effective –​
It is highly cost-effective to change the plan or requirements in the model.
Moreover, it is best suited for agile organizations.
●​ Well-organized –​
In this model, less time is consumed on documenting and the team can spend
more time on development and designing.
●​ Risk Reduction: The iterative approach allows for early identification and
mitigation of risks, reducing the likelihood of costly errors later in the
development process.
●​ Quality Assurance: The iterative approach promotes quality assurance by
providing opportunities for testing and feedback throughout the development
process. This results in a higher-quality end product.
 ●​ Improved Customer Satisfaction: The iterative approach allows for customer
involvement and feedback throughout the development process, resulting in a
final product that better meets the needs and expectations of the customer.
●​ Predictable Outcomes: The phased approach of the iterative waterfall model
allows for more predictable outcomes and greater control over the development
process, ensuring that the project stays on track and within budget.
●​ Faster Time to Market: The iterative approach allows for faster time to market
as small and incremental improvements are made over time, rather than waiting
for a complete product to be developed.
●​ Easy to Manage: The iterative waterfall model is easy to manage as each phase
is well-defined and has a clear set of deliverables. This makes it easier to track
progress, identify issues, and manage resources.​

Drawbacks of Iterative Waterfall Model :

●​ Difficult to incorporate change requests –​

The major drawback of the iterative waterfall model is that all the requirements
must be clearly stated before starting the development phase. Customers may
change requirements after some time but the iterative waterfall model does not
leave any scope to incorporate change requests that are made after the
development phase starts. ​

●​ Incremental delivery not supported –​

In the iterative waterfall model, the full software is completely developed and
tested before delivery to the customer. There is no scope for any intermediate
delivery. So, customers have to wait a long for getting the software. ​

●​ Overlapping of phases not supported –​

Iterative waterfall model assumes that one phase can start after completion of
the previous phase, But in real projects, phases may overlap to reduce the effort
and time needed to complete the project. ​

●​ Risk handling not supported –​

Projects may suffer from various types of risks. But, the Iterative waterfall model
has no mechanism for risk handling. ​

●​ Limited customer interactions –​

Customer interaction occurs at the start of the project at the time of requirement
gathering and at project completion at the time of software delivery. These fewer
 interactions with the customers may lead to many problems as the finally
developed software may differ from the customers’ actual requirements.

Software Engineering | Spiral Model

The Spiral Model is one of the most important Software Development Life Cycle
models, which provides support for Risk Handling. In its diagrammatic representation,
it looks like a spiral with many loops. The exact number of loops of the spiral is unknown
and can vary from project to project. Each loop of the spiral is called a Phase of the
software development process.
The exact number of phases needed to develop the product can be varied by the
project manager depending upon the project risks. As the project manager dynamically
determines the number of phases, the project manager has an important role to develop
a product using the spiral model.
The Spiral Model is a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model that provides a
systematic and iterative approach to software development. It is based on the idea of a
spiral, with each iteration of the spiral representing a complete software development
cycle, from requirements gathering and analysis to design, implementation, testing, and
maintenance.

What Are the Phases of a Spiral Model?

The Spiral Model is a risk-driven model, meaning that the focus is on managing risk
through multiple iterations of the software development process. It consists of the
following phases:

●​ Planning: The first phase of the Spiral Model is the planning phase, where the
scope of the project is determined and a plan is created for the next iteration of
the spiral.
●​ Risk Analysis: In the risk analysis phase, the risks associated with the project
are identified and evaluated.
●​ Engineering: In the engineering phase, the software is developed based on the
requirements gathered in the previous iteration.
●​ Evaluation: In the evaluation phase, the software is evaluated to determine if it
meets the customer’s requirements and if it is of high quality.
●​ Planning: The next iteration of the spiral begins with a new planning phase,
based on the results of the evaluation.
●​ The Spiral Model is often used for complex and large software development
projects, as it allows for a more flexible and adaptable approach to software
 development. It is also well-suited to projects with significant uncertainty or high
levels of risk.

The Radius of the spiral at any point represents the expenses(cost) of the project so far,
and the angular dimension represents the progress made so far in the current phase.

Spiral Model

Each phase of the Spiral Model is divided into four quadrants as shown in the above
figure. The functions of these four quadrants are discussed below-

●​ Objectives determination and identify alternative solutions: Requirements

are gathered from the customers and the objectives are identified, elaborated,
and analyzed at the start of every phase. Then alternative solutions possible for
the phase are proposed in this quadrant.
●​ Identify and resolve Risks: During the second quadrant, all the possible
solutions are evaluated to select the best possible solution. Then the risks
associated with that solution are identified and the risks are resolved using the
 best possible strategy. At the end of this quadrant, the Prototype is built for the
best possible solution.
●​ Develop the next version of the Product: During the third quadrant, the
identified features are developed and verified through testing. At the end of the
third quadrant, the next version of the software is available.
●​ Review and plan for the next Phase: In the fourth quadrant, the Customers
evaluate the so-far developed version of the software. In the end, planning for the
next phase is started.

Risk Handling in Spiral Model

A risk is any adverse situation that might affect the successful completion of a software
project. The most important feature of the spiral model is handling these unknown risks
after the project has started. Such risk resolutions are easier done by developing a
prototype. The spiral model supports coping with risks by providing the scope to build a
prototype at every phase of software development.
The Prototyping Model also supports risk handling, but the risks must be identified
completely before the start of the development work of the project. But in real life,
project risk may occur after the development work starts, in that case, we cannot use
the Prototyping Model. In each phase of the Spiral Model, the features of the product
dated and analyzed, and the risks at that point in time are identified and are resolved
through prototyping. Thus, this model is much more flexible compared to other SDLC
models.

Why Spiral Model is called Meta Model?

The Spiral model is called a Meta-Model because it subsumes all the other SDLC
models. For example, a single loop spiral actually represents the Iterative Waterfall
Model. The spiral model incorporates the stepwise approach of the Classical Waterfall
Model. The spiral model uses the approach of the Prototyping Model by building a
prototype at the start of each phase as a risk-handling technique. Also, the spiral model
can be considered as supporting the Evolutionary model – the iterations along the spiral
can be considered as evolutionary levels through which the complete system is built.

Advantages of the Spiral Model

Below are some advantages of the Spiral Model.

●​ Risk Handling: The projects with many unknown risks that occur as the
development proceeds, in that case, Spiral Model is the best development model
to follow due to the risk analysis and risk handling at every phase.
●​ Good for large projects: It is recommended to use the Spiral Model in large and
complex projects.
 ●​ Flexibility in Requirements: Change requests in the Requirements at a later
phase can be incorporated accurately by using this model.
●​ Customer Satisfaction: Customers can see the development of the product at
the early phase of the software development and thus, they habituated with the
system by using it before completion of the total product.
●​ Iterative and Incremental Approach: The Spiral Model provides an iterative
and incremental approach to software development, allowing for flexibility and
adaptability in response to changing requirements or unexpected events.
●​ Emphasis on Risk Management: The Spiral Model places a strong emphasis
on risk management, which helps to minimize the impact of uncertainty and risk
on the software development process.
●​ Improved Communication: The Spiral Model provides for regular evaluations
and reviews, which can improve communication between the customer and the
development team.
●​ Improved Quality: The Spiral Model allows for multiple iterations of the software
development process, which can result in improved software quality and
reliability.

Disadvantages of the Spiral Model

Below are some main disadvantages of the spiral model.

●​ Complex: The Spiral Model is much more complex than other SDLC models.
●​ Expensive: Spiral Model is not suitable for small projects as it is expensive.
●​ Too much dependability on Risk Analysis: The successful completion of the
project is very much dependent on Risk Analysis. Without very highly
experienced experts, it is going to be a failure to develop a project using this
model.
●​ Difficulty in time management: As the number of phases is unknown at the
start of the project, time estimation is very difficult.
●​ Complexity: The Spiral Model can be complex, as it involves multiple iterations
of the software development process.
●​ Time-Consuming: The Spiral Model can be time-consuming, as it requires
multiple evaluations and reviews.
●​ Resource Intensive: The Spiral Model can be resource-intensive, as it requires
a significant investment in planning, risk analysis, and evaluations.

The most serious issue we face in the cascade model is that taking a long length to
finish the item, and the product became obsolete. To tackle this issue, we have another
methodology, which is known as the Winding model or spiral model. The winding model
is otherwise called the cyclic model.
When To Use the Spiral Model?

●​ When a project is vast in software engineering, a spiral model is utilized.

●​ A spiral approach is utilized when frequent releases are necessary.
●​ When it is appropriate to create a prototype
●​ When evaluating risks and costs is crucial
●​ The spiral approach is beneficial for projects with moderate to high risk.
●​ The SDLC’s spiral model is helpful when requirements are complicated and
ambiguous.
●​ If modifications are possible at any moment
●​ When committing to a long-term project is impractical owing to shifting economic
priorities.

FAQs On Spiral Model

Q.1: How does Spiral Model differ from Waterfall Model?
Answer:
Spiral Model is different from Waterfall Model as Waterfall Model follows a linear and
sequential approach whereas Spiral Model has repeated cycles of development.

Q.2: What are the places where the Spiral Model is commonly used?
Answer:
Spiral Model is commonly used in industries where risk management is critical like
software development medical device manufacturing, etc.

Software Engineering | SDLC V-Model

The V-model is a type of SDLC model where the process executes in a sequential
manner in a V-shape. It is also known as the Verification and Validation model. It is
based on the association of a testing phase for each corresponding development stage.
The development of each step is directly associated with the testing phase. The next
phase starts only after completion of the previous phase i.e., for each development
activity, there is a testing activity corresponding to it.
The V-Model is a software development life cycle (SDLC) model that provides a
systematic and visual representation of the software development process. It is based
on the idea of a “V” shape, with the two legs of the “V” representing the progression of
the software development process from requirements gathering and analysis to design,
implementation, testing, and maintenance.
V-Model Design:
1.​ Requirements Gathering and Analysis: The first phase of the V-Model
is the requirements gathering and analysis phase, where the customer’s
requirements for the software are gathered and analyzed to determine the scope
of the project.
2.​ Design: In the design phase, the software architecture and design are
developed, including the high-level design and detailed design.
3.​ Implementation: In the implementation phase, the software is actually built
based on the design.
4.​ Testing: In the testing phase, the software is tested to ensure that it meets the
customer’s requirements and is of high quality.
5.​ Deployment: In the deployment phase, the software is deployed and put into
use.
6.​ Maintenance: In the maintenance phase, the software is maintained to ensure
that it continues to meet the customer’s needs and expectations.
7.​ The V-Model is often used in safety: critical systems, such as aerospace
and defence systems, because of its emphasis on thorough testing and its ability
to clearly define the steps involved in the software development process.
 SDLC V-Model

The following illustration depicts the different phases in a V-Model of the SDLC.
Verification Phases:
It involves static analysis technique (review) done without executing code. It is the
process of evaluation of the product development phase to find whether specified
requirements meet.
There are several Varification phases in the V-Model:

Business Requirement Analysis:

This is the first step of the designation of development cycle where product requirement
needs to be cure with the customer perspectives. in these phases include the proper
communication with the customer to understand the requirement of the customers.
these is the very important activity which need to handle with proper way, as most of the
time customer did not know exact what they want, and they did not sure about it that
time then we use an acceptance test design planning which done at the time of
business requirement it will be used as an input for acceptance testing.
System Design:
Design of system will start when the overall we clear with the product requirements,
then need to design the system completely. these understanding will do at the beginning
of complete under the product development process. these will be beneficial for the
future execution of test cases.

Architectural Design:
In this stage, architectural specifications are comprehended and designed. Usually, a
number of technical approaches are put out, and the ultimate choice is made after
considering both the technical and financial viability. The system architecture is further
divided into modules that each handle a distinct function. Another name for this is High
Level Design (HLD).
At this point, the exchange of data and communication between the internal modules
and external systems are well understood and defined. During this phase, integration
tests can be created and documented using the information provided.

Module Design:
This phase, known as Low Level Design (LLD), specifies the comprehensive internal
design for each and every system module. Compatibility between the design and other
external systems as well as other modules in the system architecture is crucial. Unit
tests are a crucial component of any development process since they assist identify and
eradicate the majority of mistakes and flaws at an early stage. Based on the internal
module designs, these unit tests may now be created.

Coding Phase:
The Coding step involves actually writing the code for the system modules that were
created during the Design phase. The system and architectural requirements are used
to determine which programming language is most appropriate.
The coding standards and principles are followed when performing the coding. Before
the final build is checked into the repository, the code undergoes many code reviews
and is optimised for optimal performance.

Validation Phases:
It involves dynamic analysis technique (functional, non-functional), testing done by
executing code. Validation is the process to evaluate the software after the completion
of the development phase to determine whether software meets the customer
expectations and requirements.
So, V-Model contains Verification phases on one side of the Validation phases on the
other side. Verification and Validation phases are joined by coding phase in V-shape.
Thus, it is called V-Model. ​
There are several Validation phases in the V-Model:

Unit Testing:
Unit Test Plans are developed during module design phase. These Unit Test Plans are
executed to eliminate bugs at code or unit level.

Integration testing:
After completion of unit testing Integration testing is performed. In integration testing,
the modules are integrated and the system is tested. Integration testing is performed on
the Architecture design phase. This test verifies the communication of modules among
themselves.

System Testing:
System testing test the complete application with its functionality, inter dependency, and
communication. It tests the functional and non-functional requirements of the developed
application.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT):

UAT is performed in a user environment that resembles the production environment.
UAT verifies that the delivered system meets user’s requirement and system is ready for
use in real world.

Design Phase:
●​ Requirement Analysis: This phase contains detailed communication with
the customer to understand their requirements and expectations. This stage is
known as Requirement Gathering.
●​ System Design: This phase contains the system design and the complete
hardware and communication setup for developing product.
●​ Architectural Design: System design is broken down further into modules
taking up different functionalities. The data transfer and communication between
the internal modules and with the outside world (other systems) is clearly
understood.
●​ Module Design: In this phase the system breaks down into small modules.
The detailed design of modules is specified, also known as Low-Level Design
(LLD).
Testing Phases:
●​ Unit Testing: Unit Test Plans are developed during module design phase.
These Unit Test Plans are executed to eliminate bugs at code or unit level.
●​ Integration testing: After completion of unit testing Integration testing is
performed. In integration testing, the modules are integrated, and the system is
tested. Integration testing is performed on the Architecture design phase. This
test verifies the communication of modules among themselves.
●​ System Testing: System testing test the complete application with its
functionality, inter dependency, and communication. It tests the functional and
non-functional requirements of the developed application.
●​ User Acceptance Testing (UAT): UAT is performed in a user environment
that resembles the production environment. UAT verifies that the delivered
system meets user’s requirement and system is ready for use in real world.

Industrial Challenge:
As the industry has evolved, the technologies have become more complex, increasingly
faster, and forever changing, however, there remains a set of basic principles and
concepts that are as applicable today as when IT was in its infancy.

●​ Accurately define and refine user requirements.

●​ Design and build an application according to the authorized user requirements.
●​ Validate that the application they had built adhered to the authorized business
requirements.

Principles of V-Model:

●​ Large to Small: In V-Model, testing is done in a hierarchical perspective, for

example, requirements identified by the project team, create High-Level Design,
and Detailed Design phases of the project. As each of these phases is completed
the requirements, they are defining become more and more refined and detailed.
●​ Data/Process Integrity: This principle states that the successful design of any
project requires the incorporation and cohesion of both data and processes.
Process elements must be identified at each and every requirement.
●​ Scalability: This principle states that the V-Model concept has the flexibility to
accommodate any IT project irrespective of its size, complexity or duration.
●​ Cross Referencing: Direct correlation between requirements and corresponding
testing activity is known as cross-referencing.
Tangible Documentation:
This principle states that every project needs to create a document. This documentation
is required and applied by both the project development team and the support team.
Documentation is used to maintaining the application once it is available in a production
environment.
Why preferred?

●​ It is easy to manage due to the rigidity of the model. Each phase of V-Model has
specific deliverables and a review process.
●​ Proactive defect tracking – that is defects are found at early stage.

When to use?

●​ Where requirements are clearly defined and fixed.

●​ The V-Model is used when ample technical resources are available with technical
expertise.
●​ Small to medium-sized projects with set and clearly specified needs are
recommended to use the V-shaped model.
●​ Since it is challenging to keep stable needs in large projects, the project should
be small.

Advantages:

●​ This is a highly disciplined model and Phases are completed one at a time.
●​ V-Model is used for small projects where project requirements are clear.
●​ Simple and easy to understand and use.
●​ This model focuses on verification and validation activities early in the life cycle
thereby enhancing the probability of building an error-free and good quality
product.
●​ It enables project management to track progress accurately.
●​ Clear and Structured Process: The V-Model provides a clear and structured
process for software development, making it easier to understand and follow.
●​ Emphasis on Testing: The V-Model places a strong emphasis on testing, which
helps to ensure the quality and reliability of the software.
●​ Improved Traceability: The V-Model provides a clear link between the
requirements and the final product, making it easier to trace and manage
changes to the software.
●​ Better Communication: The clear structure of the V-Model helps to improve
communication between the customer and the development team.
Disadvantages:

●​ High risk and uncertainty.

●​ It is not a good for complex and object-oriented projects.
●​ It is not suitable for projects where requirements are not clear and contains high
risk of changing.
●​ This model does not support iteration of phases.
●​ It does not easily handle concurrent events.
●​ Inflexibility: The V-Model is a linear and sequential model, which can make it
difficult to adapt to changing requirements or unexpected events.
●​ Time-Consuming: The V-Model can be time-consuming, as it requires a lot of
documentation and testing.
●​ Overreliance on Documentation: The V-Model places a strong emphasis on
documentation, which can lead to an overreliance on documentation at the
expense of actual development work.