Which Software Development Model is Best for Your Project?

Custom enterprise software development can be a game-changer for how your business manages operations and communications with customers and team members.

Software development models are the strategies developers use to create custom software projects, but which should you use for your project? 

The software industry utilizes various development models, with the idea that some models are better suited to particular projects. Each software development model has its advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to understand how they work before you decide on the best one for your enterprise software development project. 

An enterprise software development company with a record of successful software development and deployment (and a team that’s big on communication) will have the expertise to guide all your stakeholders through each software engineering model and help your company make an educated decision for your project.

What Are Software Development Life Cycle Models?

The software development life cycle, or SDLC, is used by enterprise software development companies to plan, create, test, iterate, and deploy software products. The most appropriate software development life cycle model for a project depends on its unique requirements and needs. 

SDLC models include the Waterfall model, Agile, Lean, and more. While each methodology is unique, they share common steps such as gathering project requirements, designing the UI and UX, developing, testing, and deploying. 

Our enterprise software and application development company utilizes the following software development models.

Best Software Engineering Models for Enterprises

Your software development company should be well-versed in some of the most popular, effective models. Below, we’ll cover the development models used by High Seas and how each stacks up against the others.

Agile Model

The Agile software development model is a heavily collaborative, iterative process that implements internal feedback between sprints to deliver the best software product. High Seas provides customers with iterations of software through highly communicative development strategies that continuously deliver tested features before moving on to the next feature. We use Agile when a project requires integration with software developers and programs using Agile methodology. Otherwise, we prefer a hybrid combination of several development models. 

The Agile software process model combines incremental and iterative methodologies, with the work completed in one iteration improved upon in subsequent iterations. Each iteration is delivered incrementally throughout the project. When used separately, incremental development models create one component of a project at a time. With an iterative model, each iteration is added to the app as an improved version of the last, rather than perfecting one component before moving on to the next. 

Scrum is a type of Agile software engineering model characterized by short sprints of development focused on achieving a specific goal. Scrum is often used because it is flexible and easily adjustable, making it an ideal software development model in rapidly changing business environments.

The Agile software engineering model is excellent for large or complex enterprise software products because it allows the team to make changes on the fly as new insights are gained. It’s also ideal for products with multiple stakeholders when input is received throughout the development process.

Advantages of Agile software engineering models:

• Customer feedback is integrated into the development cycle, keeping projects on track
• Agile promotes transparency and collaboration between developers and stakeholders

Disadvantages of Agile software engineering models:

• It can be challenging to scale to large development projects
• Requires a high degree of discipline and commitment from everyone involved
• Not suitable for projects with strict deadlines. Changes in project requirements make for inaccurate deadline estimates, so flexibility is key with Agile methodologies
• Not a good model for projects requiring strict budgeting, as budgets can’t be accurately predicted with Agile models

Lean Software Development Model, or Rapid Development Model

Lean is a systematic software engineering model that identifies and eliminates waste in the development process. This model is a way to optimize resources, development time, and energy to achieve the best possible outcome for your software development project. Clients with projects that need to conserve budget and time should see whether their software development company offers Lean as an SDLC model. Lean is sometimes referred to as a Rapid Development Model and is used by High Seas for projects with tight deadlines.  

The Lean software development model is often called the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) strategy. This is because the goal is to create a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and get feedback for further development. The idea is to avoid building unnecessary features that will never be used and prevent you from wasting time and resources.

One of the most critical aspects of the Lean software development model is source code control, as the model relies heavily on collaboration. Less project management is required due to its collaborative nature and focus on streamlining the process and eliminating unnecessary developmental steps. 

Advantages of Lean software process models:

• It helps ensure the final product is high quality and meets the customer’s needs
• Can reduce the overall project cost by eliminating wasteful activities and resources
• Beneficial for tight deadlines, as it more efficiently uses resources

Disadvantages of Lean software process models:

• It can be challenging to plan and predict how long development will take since new problems and issues can come up at any time
• It requires close communication and collaboration between developers with heavy team involvement, strong documentation, and close project management

Waterfall Model

The Waterfall software engineering model is so named because it resembles a cascading waterfall, with each phase flowing smoothly to the next. The Waterfall method used to be a popular choice for several reasons, especially in the early stages of a project. High Seas and other development companies don’t typically use Waterfall anymore because of the potential risks involved. However, if a client prefers, Waterfall can be used during the beginning stages of software development before switching to a combination of Agile and iterative models. 

The Waterfall model is straightforward and easy to understand, with well-defined project stages that make it easy to plan and execute a project. Another reason it’s so popular is because Waterfall keeps all stakeholders on the same page throughout development and leaves little room for misunderstandings or disagreements, which saves time and effort. Waterfall is also incredibly flexible and easily adaptable to meet the needs of most projects. 

Advantages of the Waterfall software engineering model:

• It’s predictable, with each stage having well-defined deliverables and a clear goal
• It’s easily understood and manageable with any risk identifiable early on

Disadvantages of the Waterfall model in software engineering: 

• There’s not much flexibility if a delay occurs. The rest of the project may be held up until the problem is resolved in that stage of development, which can lead to software that doesn’t meet user needs or takes longer and costs more to develop

Linear Sequential Model

The Linear Sequential Model (LSM) takes a linear approach to software platform development, with a clearly defined path from start to finish. The predictability of LSM is appealing to software developers as it gives them more control over the development process than other software development life cycle models. The client benefits from the developers having more control over the developmental process which frequently results in a more robust software program due to developmental ease. 

Advantages of the Linear Sequential software development model:

• It’s a tried-and-true method with a clearly defined start-to-finish path
• It gives developers more control over the development process compared to other models

Disadvantages of the Linear Sequential software development model:

• LSM can be inflexible, making it difficult to accommodate a change in project requirements during mid-development
• It can be a slow development process, requiring each stage to be completed before moving on to the next

Hybrid Model

The Hybrid model combines different software development life cycle models depending on the goal, timeline, and budget. Because developers use the best features of different development models, the Hybrid model allows for greater flexibility. Changes can be adapted and problems addressed to make the process more efficient and reduce the likelihood of errors or missing features in a software project. With Hybrid development models, it’s best to do the discovering, prototyping, and UX during the early stages of the project so developers can be confident with how much budget they have remaining.   

Advantages of the Hybrid model for software development:

• The combined strengths of multiple development models make the Hybrid model well-suited for complex projects or ones subject to changing requirements throughout development
• Clients with strict budgets can separate it for each stage of development  

Disadvantages of the Hybrid model for software development:

• It can be more challenging to manage than other development models, as the Hybrid model requires close coordination and collaboration between different teams

High Seas Knows the Best Approach for Your Enterprise SDLC Model

It can be difficult to determine which software development life cycle model is the most suitable for a project, even for companies with in-house developer teams. High Seas usually uses a Hybrid life cycle model as it combines the most effective components of the various methodologies. 

The best way to get your software project underway using the most appropriate development model is to trust an expert software development company, like the crew at High Seas. We have years of experience in the enterprise software game, with experts ready to guide your software project from a well-planned start to a successful finish. Contact us today to begin your software development project.