---
title: "System development methodologies"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:system-development-methodologies"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/system-development-methodologies
site: BCT Engineering
---

# System development methodologies

ICT Project Management · Chapter 4: Project Management

- Asked in: year not given
- Video: [7 Important Project Management Methodologies You Need To MASTER](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVgStx8aMqs) — Psoda
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/system-development-methodologies
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-4

## Question

What do you mean by 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.

## Answer

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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is a system development methodology?
   A. A programming language used to code systems
   B. A standardised set of procedures, methods, tools and documentation for building information systems
   C. A single phase of the SDLC
   D. A hardware specification for servers
   Answer: B. It states what activities to do, in what order, by whom and with what outputs. (Key point: Definition)

2. Which methodology is driven mainly by risk analysis in each iteration?
   A. Spiral
   B. Waterfall
   C. Prototyping
   D. Lean
   Answer: A. The Spiral model organises iterations around risk analysis. (Key point: Spiral model idea)

3. A start-up's mobile app has frequently changing features. Which methodology suits it best?
   A. Waterfall
   B. A purely sequential structured SDLC
   C. Closed fixed-scope contracting
   D. Agile
   Answer: D. Unstable requirements favour adaptive, short-cycle agile; waterfall suits fixed requirements like a legal tax system. (Key point: Selecting a methodology)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [System development life cycle](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Asdlc) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4
- [Project development life cycle phases](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-development-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 1
- [Schedule development and control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aschedule-development-control) — ICT Project Management, chapter 8
- [System view of project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Asystem-view-three-parts) — ICT Project Management, chapter 5
- [Project management information system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apmis) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Integrated reporting system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aintegrated-reporting-system) — ICT Project Management, chapter 11

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