Best App Development Methodologies Explained

Which is the best app development methodology?

According to a survey done by Digital.ai, 42% of the respondents have reported that their organizations leverage a hybrid SDLc model that comprises Agile, DevOps, or other methodologies. This reflects that the choice for the best methodology would depend on the organization’s project cost, requirements, and customer expectations.

Furthermore, there is no one fit size methodology. To help you with decision-making, we have listed some of the top methodologies you can consider for your app development process. By learning about the fundamental principles of each methodology, you can make an informed decision suited to your particular project’s requirements and build a successful high quality app.

Table of Contents

What is the Waterfall App Development Methodology?

The keywords for this type of mobile app development the planning and sequencing. The whole project is mapped out in the initial planning and analysis stages. In this, the client comes with a very in-depth list of all the features and functionalities needed to be incorporated in the app. After that, the project manager distributes the entire project with proper planning among the team.

This type of development methodology is known as the Waterfall because once you start working on the project, you cannot go back to the previous stages, and everything works in a downward flow. The whole project is built based on what was anticipated in the advanced planning stage. After that, the app is tested thoroughly to ensure it works optimally and is shown to the customer for implementation.

This method assumes that the requirements are precise and the customer and team have a clear vision about the project, well thought out in advance. Waterfall methodology can be the best app development methodology when

There are no anticipated changes in the project
The budget for the project has been fixed from the start
The team has worked on a similar project previously as well

The client is clear from the start about the project requirements and does not plan to get involved much in the project.

Pros	Cons
It is one of the best methodologies that can be used for big projects that have a clear vision and requirements from the start.	Making changes in between the projects is not possible, thereby making it difficult to adapt.
It is easier to properly train the programmers on the development parts without any need to hand over the entire project.	Even if the development team can build exactly what the customer originally wanted (which doesn't always happen), the market, technology, or organization may have changed so much that it is useless and a waste of time.
The Waterfall model supports accurate estimation of the app development timelines and costs involved.

What is Rapid Application Development Methodology?

RAD is just the opposite of the waterfall methodology. It generally works on the idea of prototyping, implying that the main vision is to quickly come up with a proper working version of the application and iterate on it later. In this method, both the mobile app development company in Dallas and the customers work closely with each other throughout the development cycle. These teams are generally small and comprise developers experienced in different disciplines.

In case the project is diverted from the initial plan, then RAD DDLC must be able to incorporate the same. Within RAD methodology, when each iteration is completed, the product is improved. Therefore, the initial stage product is launched, and iterations are made accordingly.

Pros	Cons
It offers flexibility to the developers to make changes to the project throughout the development process.	It needs a more talented and experienced team of developers to carry out iterations as they can understand each and every aspect of the project properly.
It offers enhanced risk management solutions as the code vulnerabilities can be addressed prior to the final release.	It can lead to code documentation issues if you are working with inexperienced developers.
Faster reviews can be carried out, thereby boosting productivity and helping in completing task with fewer team members.

What is Agile App Development Methodology?

Agile methodology is very similar to RAD, but it is slightly different to make it suitable for larger projects. Agile is an iterative process wherein focus is put on developing individual components or features.

Each functionality or component is built by the team, but the client is involved in overseeing them and signing off before initiating the next phase of development.

Agile app development in Dallas leverages sprints to build, test, and deploy a specific feature. It incorporates the whole of SDLC for a single feature in an individual sprint. This helps teams to stay aligned with the product vision. It does not follow the structure of prototyping; instead presents each sprint after completion. Agile methodology involves more team members, including the testers, UX designers, technical writers, etc.

Pros	Cons
With this methodology, you can find and fix issues quickly, thereby reducing the development cycle.	It is difficult to measure the project progress as it happens in every development cycle.
Agile methodology focuses on developing a few components or a minimal viable product, the product can be launched faster in the market.	Working on the project can get overwhelming as there is no estimated deadline for it.
It improves accountability and transparency among the team members and stakeholders through regular standups and scum meetings.

What is Scrum App Development Methodology?

Scrum is a popular methodology generally used for projects that have changing requirements.

It starts with the brief planning followed by a daily meeting or scrum during which the project progress is reviewed, and ends with a final review. It comprises multiple iterations or sprints in order to develop a final product.

One of the major reasons why businesses prefer this is that it keeps all slow-processing tasks on track. It is typically used by teams of 3 to 9 members to complete the project in a period of 2 weeks.

Pros	Cons
Requirements are simple to modify, and fresh feedback is incorporated at the beginning of every fresh sprint, making the process very responsive to change.	The focus on flexibility and ongoing improvement can render it hard to commit a definite, extended project timeline or price.
Stakeholders evaluate the product at the end of every sprint so that it is always meeting customer needs and expectations, enhancing overall quality.	The ability to add or modify features can at times result in uncontrolled project growth if not handled tactfully by the Product Owner.
Open communication, transparency, and strong team morale result from daily stand-up meetings and shared task ownership.

What is Lean App Development Methodology?

Lean is a flexible methodology used to create easily revisable solutions, most suited for projects with low or limited budgets and minimal development requirements. It establishes a conceptual framework to ensure all developers are sticking to and working with the suggested rules to mitigate errors and defect rates.

Lean software development examines specifications to the most minute detail to minimize wasted time or money. Its core component is value for the client, making feedback and fast action crucial.

Pros	Cons
The main focus of lean methodology is to deliver what customers need; this eliminates any need to build extra features.	Not suitable for big organizations, as proper coordination throughout the development process is difficult to maintain.
It leads to a faster time to market as unnecessary documentation, redundant features, and meetings are removed.	Lean's success relies on the team being able to identify and eliminate waste on a consistent basis. Without this discipline or experience in the team, the process will be inefficient and subject to delays.
It helps in reducing costs by stop wasting time and resources, best suited for projects with a limited budget.

Why is Choosing the Right App Development Methodology Important?

Below are some of the most significant reasons why proper app development methodology matters if you are planning to work with a top mobile app developer in Dallas to work on the development project.

It ensures that the project development team fully grasps the project’s requirements and delivers a final product that meets those needs
Gives a structure that streamlines the development process. Further, it also mitigates the chances of miscommunications and deadlines not being met.
It identifies potential project risks and eliminates the risk of project failure due to unforeseen circumstances.
Promotes effective communication and comprehension among members, improves collaboration, and reduces the risk of misunderstanding the project requirements.
Helps to control project expenses, making sure the project stays within budget.

How are App Development Methods Different from Each Other?

Different app development methods used by the mobile app development company in Dallas treat planning, collaboration among teams, testing, and delivery differently. The teams must consider these aspects and choose the right approach applicable to their needs while creating an app in an application development platform.

Approach: Different methodologies employ different approaches to developing apps. Waterfall, for example, is linear and sequential, while Agile is adaptive and iterative.

Planning: Methodologies differ in planning. Waterfall requires a complete plan in the beginning, whereas Agile plans step by step and evolve with time.

Flexibility: Some of the methodologies, such as Agile, are highly flexible and allow changes and adjustments to be incorporated along the development path. Others, such as Waterfall, are less flexible and work best for fixed scope projects.

Teamwork: Methodologies also vary to the extent that they emphasize team effort. Agile places a lot of emphasis on team effort and communication between team members, whereas Waterfall is not so concerned with teamwork.

Testing and Quality Assurance: Methodologies vary in the manner in which they address testing and quality assurance differently. Waterfall emphasizes testing after every phase, while Agile emphasizes testing while developing.

Delivery: Methodologies differ in their delivery style. Waterfall focuses on delivery of the final product towards the latter part of the development process, and Agile focuses on delivery of working software throughout the development process.

Things to Consider When Selecting the Best App Development Methodologies

Remain aware of the following factors and choose the approach most appropriate to the needs of your client, team, and project.

Project scope: Project size and project complexity can be utilized to determine the methodology that will be most effective. Small projects with high rates of scope change are ideally suited to Agile methodologies, and Waterfall will be appropriate for large, formal projects.

Development team: Consider the size of the team, location, and the skill level of the development team. Certain methods, such as Agile, require a well-motivated and highly skilled team with effective communication skills.

Time constraints: The project timeline will assist in deciding which methodology to use. Agile methods are quicker with faster iterations and releases, whereas Waterfall is slower as it is a linear approach.

Client Needs: If the client wants to be involved in the development process and have the option to change things as they go, then Agile would be the better choice. If the client wants specific requirements that they want and a specific amount of money, then Waterfall would be the choice.

Risks and Uncertainties: The level of risk and uncertainty determines the success rate of the project. Agile processes are more suitable for projects with greater risk or uncertainty since they offer more room for variability and flexibility to change as it proceeds.

Budget: The cost to build a mobile app in Dallas can also influence the approach to be used. Agile approaches are more expensive because they need a very skilled and motivated team, while Waterfall is less expensive since it is a well-planned approach.

Conclusion

Software development methodologies offer a structured method of creating software and apps. From the early stages of programming, they have been applied and are still the key for contemporary developers.

It is difficult to choose one of the best app development methodologies that have conquered the rest, while new ones are introduced across the decades. It relies on your team composition, experience, project specifications, objectives, costs, and other inherent factors.

We hope you now know better which methodology suits your team best with the specifics described. Otherwise, do not hesitate to contact TechGropse to learn more about the methodology and the app development process. We are a leading mobile app development company in Dallas can help you develop high high-quality app as per your project requirements and preferred methodology.

FAQ

There are plenty of benefits of implementing an app development methodology, such as better collaboration, a systematic framework, faster deployment, improved product quality, etc.

Methodology is a crucial factor for project success, influencing how requirements, changes, collaboration, and risk are managed. Choosing the right methodology for a project’s characteristics (size, complexity, requirements) can increase success rates.

Some trends comprise AI-assisted development that can suggest code and automate the testing procedure, low-code methods coming into enterprise apps, microservices architecture supporting modular development, etc.

Startups tend to thrive on agile app development methodology because it is adaptable and emphasizes taking the product to customers at the earliest. This enables startups to test the market fit in a fast-paced manner through rapid iterations.

Written by

Aman Mishra

CEO

Hello All, Aman Mishra has years of experience in the IT industry. His passion for helping people in all aspects of mobile app development. Therefore, He write several blogs that help the readers to get the appropriate information about mobile app development trends, technology, and many other aspects.In addition to providing mobile app development services in USA, he also provides maintenance & support services for businesses of all sizes. He tried to solve all their readers' queries and ensure that the given information would be helpful for them.