Software development methodologies and processes help define the guidelines and principles for the development team in order to make the product or service. They follow these philosophies and practices to get the results they want. 

We cannot overemphasize the importance of software. Whether you make phone calls, chat online with your friends or shop online, it plays a vital role in making all of this possible. 

Software development is actually a set of activities that are used in the process of making, designing, deploying and supporting software. This process can be used for a single application or whole system. Software in itself is a set of instructions that tell a computer or system what to do. 

The development process

The software development process usually includes the following six basic steps. 

• Gathering requirements
• Designing the product
• Coding
• Testing the product
• Deployment
• Maintenance

The use of these steps varies at each software development company. The custom software development firm can modify things a little to accommodate the environment and the nature of the project.

We’ll start with the methods and models used by various software development companies whether custom or otherwise. You can learn more about software development in general here. There are many methods and models. Different custom software development companies would prefer different development practices but we’ll briefly cover the following. 

Software development methods

Agile model

This model completes the process in increments. The whole process occurs in iterative cycles and includes phases such as designing, implementation, testing and reporting. The development team and the stakeholders meet after every increment and discuss how the software can be improved. 

Spiral model

In this model the developers and stakeholders go back and forth between requirements, analysis, testing and implementation. This process is very effective for a near perfect product or service. 

V model

This model encapsulates verification and validation in each phase in the lifecycle process.  In this model the process executes in a sequential manner in V-shape. It is also called a verification and validation model. 

Incremental model

This process usually includes gathering of requirements, design and implementation. These three steps are repeated for each feature of the software until it is complete.

RAD model 

This development process uses component based construction approach. This process enables the development companies to create the service or product in a very short time. 

Other methods and models are as follows.

• Crystal methods
• Dynamic system development model
• Joint application development
• Lean development
• Scrum
• Spiral
• Waterfall model
• Rational unified process

The custom software agency or the software development company will let you know about the best process you can use for the project. 

Conclusion

Software development processes and methods are a crucial part of every project. We mentioned only a few here but there are more out there. Selecting the best model for you will depend up on the circumstances and your project. However, the most suitable model will make sure that sure that the product is satisfactory, timely delivered and a success. The development team should take their time and consider the pros and cons of each process and method.