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System development methodologies
Short answer
A system development methodology is a standardized set of procedures, methods, and tools for building information systems, such as waterfall, agile, prototyping, and spiral. Selection depends on requirement stability, project size, team skills, and risk, aiming to provide a repeatable, controlled process.
What do you mean by system development methodologies?
A system development methodology is a standardised, organised set of procedures, methods, tools and documentation used to plan, build, test and deliver information systems. It states what activities to perform, in what order, who performs them and what outputs are expected. It is the way an organisation puts the SDLC into practice.
Purpose
- Give a repeatable, controlled way of building systems.
- Improve quality, reduce risk and manage cost and time.
- Provide a common language between users, analysts and developers.
Common methodologies
| Methodology | Idea |
|---|---|
| Waterfall (structured SDLC) | Sequential phases, each completed before next |
| Prototyping | Build a working model, refine with user feedback |
| Iterative and incremental | Build in repeated cycles, adding functionality |
| Spiral | Iterations driven by risk analysis |
| RAD (Rapid Application Development) | Fast development with reusable components and user participation |
| Agile (Scrum, XP) | Short sprints, adaptive, customer collaboration |
| Lean | Remove waste, deliver value quickly |
| DevOps | Joint development and operations with automation |
| Object-oriented / Structured analysis | Design approaches (UML vs DFD) |
Selecting a methodology
Factors are:
- Stability of requirements.
- Size and complexity of project.
- Team skills and size.
- User involvement possible.
- Risk and time pressure.
- Organisational culture.
Example: A government tax system with fixed legal requirements suits waterfall, while a start-up's mobile app with changing features suits agile.
Link with project management
Project management (PMBOK) gives the management processes, while the methodology gives the technical development approach. The project manager must adapt both to the project.
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