The 1950s and 1960s marked the rise of computer science. It was during these decades that computer science and its associated fields started to progress at a rapid pace. This progress necessitated the use of a structured approach to software development, thus giving rise to software development life cycle (SDLC) methodologies.
Over the past three-quarters of a century, software development has evolved as new approaches and methods replaced old ones.
In this article, we will discuss the top 10 SDLC methodologies in 2025. However, before we discuss these approaches, it is good to shed light on the basics and the historical evolution of software development.
Let’s start with a definition of software development life cycle methodologies in software development services.
What are Software Development Life Cycle Methodologies?
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies are structured approaches or frameworks used to guide software development from conception to deployment and maintenance. These methodologies provide a systematic way to plan, design, build, test, and deploy software systems.
These are the basic aspects of SDLC models:
- They establish protocols for interactions between the user and vendor.
- Organize resources to achieve the target goals efficiently.
- Define what task is to be performed at which stage.
- Risk management.
How to Choose the Best SDLC Model?
A choice can either make your project a success or a complete failure. According to rough estimates, 85% of software projects fail to meet some final requirements.
Making up for those gaps later in development is costly and cumbersome. That is why choosing the best SLDC model for your needs is imperative from the beginning. The right choice depends on understanding your project’s unique requirements and leveraging tools that enhance the methodology.
Using the best SDLC tools can streamline processes, reduce risks, and ensure smooth execution throughout the development lifecycle.
To help you with that, here are some of the criteria to evaluate SDLC models:
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Project Requirements
The choice of SDLC models depends on your project’s specifics. What is its domain? Potential application? Does it have well-defined requirements or evolving needs?
What is the size of your project? Is it aimed at a B2B or B2C audience?
Consider all these pertinent questions before choosing any model.
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Development Time
Time to market is important when deciding which SDLC methodology to use. Do you have tight deadlines to deliver a project? or are you working on long-term projects that can be updated post-deployment?
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Team Expertise
The expertise level of your project is also a factor. Some projects are straightforward and easier to manage.
Others, however, are more complex and require highly skilled teams and collaboration.
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Budget Constraints
As mentioned above, changes after deployment are much more expensive. Different SDLC models may require resources over time.
Consider your project’s predictability in terms of cost before making a decision.
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Flexibility
Some projects are more rigid, and change is not preferred or discouraged. In comparison, others require to include frequent changes over time.
This adaptability and flexibility in your project are a crucial factor in decision-making.
Historical Evolution of SDLC Methodologies
We must highlight how traditional software development approaches like Waterfall transformed into Agile SDLC. Let’s talk about the Waterfall approach.
Waterfall: The Traditional Software Development Model
The Waterfall model, although obsolete now, stands as a critical milestone in the history of software methodologies. It laid the groundwork for all future approaches to software development, like Agile. The concept of a linear, sequential process for software development gained traction in the burgeoning field of computing during the 1970s.
In 1970, an American computer scientist named Winston W. Royce penned a seminal paper, “Managing the Development of Large Software Systems.” This paper outlined a structured approach to software development. It proposed a series of sequential phases, including;
- Requirement Analysis
- System Design
- Implementation
- Testing
- Deployment
- Maintenance
Each phase flows downstream into the next, just like a waterfall – and hence, its name.
Despite its conceptual simplicity and initial popularity, the Waterfall model soon encountered practical challenges in real-world software projects. Its inherent rigidity and assumption of predictability in the development process often led to difficulties in accommodating changes, evolving requirements, and adapting to shifting priorities.
Moreover, the model’s linear nature meant that feedback loops between stakeholders and developers were limited. This caused mismatches between the final product and user expectations.
Despite its shortcomings, Royce’s Waterfall model remained a popular approach to software development in the 1980s and ‘90s, especially in domains such as aerospace, defense, and large-scale government projects, where companies had to ensure strict adherence to predefined specifications and regulations.
However, very soon, in the late 1990s, the software development industry began to move beyond this model as their practices matured and projects became increasingly complex. Developers and organizations began to recognize the need for more flexible, adaptive methodologies that could better accommodate changing requirements, mitigate risks, and deliver value incrementally.
This eventually gave rise to a set of practices and approaches collectively called the Agile software development approaches.
Let’s discuss these now.
Top 10 SDLC Methodologies
The limitations of the Waterfall model ultimately spurred the evolution toward more agile and adaptable approaches. This resulted in a significant shift in how software is conceptualized, developed, and delivered. However, some of these approaches are no longer actively used by developers but still merit mention.
Let’s discuss some of these top SDLC methodologies now.
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The Prototyping Model
One of the earliest substitutes for the Waterfall model was the Prototyping approach. It emphasized the development of low-fidelity prototypes to gather user feedback, which, in turn, was used to develop the prototypes further towards the final software product. Developers no longer use this approach, developed in the 1970s.
However, the benefit of this model was that it helped in situations where the project requirements were not articulated, as it allowed prospective users to interact with a tangible prototype early in the development process.
Advantages
- Early Detection of Issues
- Flexibility
- Improved Requirement Gathering
- Less Risk
Disadvantages
- Higher Initial Cost
- Overreliance on User Feedback
- Lack of Documentation
Best Use Case
The prototyping model is suitable where requirements are not fully understood or are likely to change. It is also useful for UI/UX-heavy applications.
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The Iterative Model
The Iterative model is an early forerunner of the Agile approach. This SDLC approach involves repeating the development process in a series of iterations or increments. Each iteration encompasses all the SDLC stages, including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.
Unlike the linear progression of the Waterfall model, the Iterative model allows for flexibility and adaptation throughout the development cycle. In each iteration, the software developer selects a subset of features for implementation based on priority and stakeholder feedback. The software is then developed, tested, and delivered in a short timeframe, typically ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months.
At the end of each iteration, the developers evaluate the software and incorporate the feedback in subsequent iterations. This iterative process continues until the software meets the desired level of quality and functionality.
Advantages
- Early Delivery
- Improved Quality
- Flexibility
- Better Requirement Clarity
- Easier Testing and Debugging
Disadvantages
- Incomplete Deliveries
- Uncontrolled Growth
- Requires Initial Planning
Best Use Case
The iterative model is the best SDLC model for microservice applications. It is also ideal for new technologies or innovation, where requirements and goals are discovered over time.
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The Spiral Model
The Spiral model is the brainchild of Barry Boehm. He wrote a paper in 1986 titled “A Spiral Model of Custom Software Development and Enhancement,” which explained this approach. The spiral model integrates elements of iterative development with risk management principles, and, like the iterative approach, it seeks to overcome Waterfall’s limitations.
The Spiral model emphasizes risk management throughout the development process, with each iteration allowing for the identification and mitigation of risks early on. It is particularly well-suited for large, complex projects where requirements are unclear or subject to change. However, its iterative nature can also increase its development time and cost.
Advantages
- Improved Communication
- Better Resource Allocation
- Predictable Costs
- Risk Management
- Focus on Quality
- Flexibility
Disadvantages
- Complex and Difficult to Manage
- Cost and Time Intensive
- Requires Skilled Expertise
- Uncertain Outcomes
Use Cases
The spiral model is best for projects where risk analysis is of paramount importance. This SDLC approach is ideal for creating enterprise-level software and mission-critical systems.
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V-Model
The V-shaped model is also called the Verification and Validation Model – it is a variant of the traditional Waterfall model and emphasizes the relationship between each phase of development and its corresponding testing phase.
It is also named as such for its V-shaped representation of the development and testing phases. The left side of the V represents the development phases, while the right side represents the corresponding testing phases.
This SDLC approach helps developers ensure defects are identified and addressed early in the development process, thus minimizing the risk of costly rework later on. However, like the traditional Waterfall Model, the V-shaped model is considered rigid and less adaptable to changes in requirements or stakeholder feedback.
Advantages
- Easy to Learn and Use
- Clear Documentation
- Better Quality Assurance
- Early Defect Detection
- Structured and Disciplined
Disadvantages
- Rigid and Inflexible
- Unsuitable for Unclear Projects
- High-Risk and Uncertainty
Use Case
The V-Model is ideal for small and medium projects. Medical software benefits from V-Model as it is suitable for assuring downtime and compliance needs.
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Agile
The world of software development underwent a revolution when 17 top software experts decided to draft the Agile Manifesto in 2001. The Agile Software Development Lifecycle emphasizes iterative development, collaboration, adaptability, and customer satisfaction. It is considered one of the foremost SDLC frameworks in use today. Many Agile frameworks, including Kanban and Scrum, took root because of this approach, which we will discuss shortly.
Four Core Agile Values
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Individuals and Interactions over Processes and Tools
Agile prioritizes people’s importance and interactions in software development over relying solely on processes and tools. It emphasizes open communication, collaboration, and teamwork among team members.
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Working Software over Comprehensive Documentation
Agile values the delivery of working software as the primary measure of progress. While documentation is important, Agile encourages teams to focus on delivering tangible value to customers through functional software.
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Customer Collaboration over Contract Negotiation
Agile promotes close collaboration between development teams and customers throughout the project. By involving customers in the development process, Agile ensures that the delivered software meets their needs and expectations.
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Responding to Change over Following a Plan
Agile embraces change as a natural and inevitable part of the software development process. Agile teams are encouraged to adapt and respond to changing requirements, priorities, and feedback instead of rigidly following a predefined plan.
Advantages
- Fast Development
- Better Collaboration
- No Planning Required
- Easy to Manage
- Flexible
Disadvantages
- Not Suitable for Complex Projects
- Lack of Documentation
- Requires Experienced Teams
- Less Predictable
Use Case
The agile model is great for creating customer-focused apps. It is also ideal for long-term projects and projects with tight deadlines.
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Scrum
Scrum is one of the most popular Agile frameworks. It is characterized by its iterative approach, self-organizing teams, and emphasis on delivering value to customers in short cycles called sprints. Scrum was formalized in the early 1990s by Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber. Since then, it has become one of the most widely used Agile methodologies.
Core Components of Scrum
Roles
- Product Owner: Represents the stakeholders and is responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog, ensuring that the team delivers value to the customer.
- Scrum Master: Facilitates the Scrum process, removes impediments, and helps the team adhere to Scrum principles and practices.
- Development Team: A cross-functional team responsible for delivering increments of working software during each sprint.
Artifacts
- Product Backlog: A prioritized list of all desired features, enhancements, and fixes for the product. Managed and prioritized by the Product Owner.
- Sprint Backlog: A subset of items from the Product Backlog selected for implementation during the sprint. It is owned by the Development Team.
- Increment: A potentially shippable product increment produced by the development team during the sprint.
Events
- Sprint Planning: This is a meeting where the Product Owner and Development Team collaborate to select and plan the work for the upcoming sprint.
- Daily Standup (Daily Scrum): A short, daily meeting where team members synchronize their work, discuss progress, and identify any obstacles.
- Sprint Review: A meeting at the end of the sprint where the team demonstrates the completed work to stakeholders and collects feedback.
- Sprint Retrospective: A meeting after the Sprint Review allows the team to reflect on their process. They identify what goes well and what could be improved and create a plan for implementing changes in the next sprint.
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RAD Model
The Rapid Application Development (RAD) model is one of the top SDLC models that prioritizes rapid prototyping and iterative delivery. RAD delivers quick results in a short period.
It allows parallel development of components and subsequent modifications. The main focus of RAD is to reuse tools and components during development.
These are the phases of the RAD model:
- Business Modelling: In this phase, a complete analysis of business functions is conducted to form a foundation for the software.
- Data Modelling: It involves defining data objects that represent the information required for the business processes and helps structure the data logically.
- Process Modelling: These processes reuse data objects to define specific business objectives and ensure smooth interaction among different components.
- Application Generation: This phase develops software prototypes using automation tools. A working model helps demonstrate functionality and gather feedback.
- Testing and Turnover: Prototypes, components, and interfaces are tested thoroughly. Based on results, adjustments are made based on feedback, preparing the application for final deployment.
Advantages
- Faster Development
- Reusable Components
- Parallel Development
- Fewer Defects
- Cost Friendly
Disadvantages
- Requires Skilled Expertise
- Difficult to Manage
- Poor Documentation
- Unsuitable for Large Projects
Use Case
RAD model is a great choice for prototyping-based projects. It is also ideal for short-term and experimental projects.
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Lean
Lean manufacturing principles inspire Lean Software Development and aim to maximize value while minimizing waste. It emphasizes delivering value to customers quickly, optimizing the whole process, and empowering teams to continuously improve.
Its key principles include:
- Eliminate waste in the development process, such as unnecessary features, rework, and delays.
- Amplify learning by continuously seeking feedback from customers and stakeholders and using it to improve processes and products.
- Lean emphasizes delivering value to customers quickly through small, incremental releases.
- Team empowerment is another key principle of the Lean approach. It encourages cross-functional, self-organizing, and empowered teams to take ownership of their work.
Advantages
- Faster Delivery
- Cost-Effective
- Flexibility
- Customer-Centric
Disadvantages
- Difficult to Implement
- Unsuitable for Large Projects
- Unclear Documentation
Use Cases
Lean is the right SDLC methodology for industries with changing requirements. It is also good for building customer-centric applications.
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Extreme Programming
Another Agile framework, Extreme Programming (XP), focuses on delivering high-quality software while keeping the development process flexible. It was created in the late 1990s by Kent Beck and Ward Cunningham and is known for its rigorous engineering practices and focus on customer satisfaction.
Some of its key practices and principles include the following:
- XP advocates for delivering small, frequent releases of working software to customers, enabling early feedback and validation of features.
- Planning in XP is continuous and adaptive, with a focus on short-term planning and responding to changing requirements and priorities.
- XP is famous for its pair programming, where developers work in pairs, with one writing code while the other reviews it in real-time. Pair programming improves code quality, promotes knowledge sharing, and reduces defects.
- XP developers write automated tests before writing the code. This ensures that the code meets the desired functionality and can be easily tested for regressions.
Advantages
- High-Quality Code
- Adaptability
- Faster Development
- Fewer Defects
Disadvantages
- Lack of Documentation
- Requires Technical Expertise
- Unsuitable for Large Projects
Use Cases
Extreme Programming is effective for high-risk and complex projects.
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DevOps
The DevOps approach is one of the most popular software development approaches today. It is a cultural and organizational movement that aims to break down silos between development (Dev) and operations (Ops) teams. This enables a more rapid and reliable software delivery.
It emphasizes collaboration, automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery (CI/CD), and monitoring throughout the software development lifecycle. Its massive popularity is evidenced by the number of companies offering DevOps as a Service (DaaS).
Some of the key principles of DevOps include:
- DevOps emphasizes a culture of collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility between development, operations, and other stakeholders. It promotes communication, empathy, and a focus on delivering value to customers.
- Automation is at the heart of DevOps. It advocates for automating repetitive tasks, such as code builds, testing, deployment, and infrastructure provisioning, to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and free up time for more valuable work.
- DevOps also doubles down on CI/CD.
- Security is paramount for all DevOps engineers. They incorporate security practices throughout the software development lifecycle, including threat modeling, vulnerability scanning, and automated security testing. This is also known as DevSecOps.
Conclusion
It has been a long time since the Waterfall approach dominated software development. Today, newer, more nimble approaches have overtaken traditional ones. Although Agile and its associated sub-approaches reign supreme today, we don’t know what the future holds. Tomorrow, we may expect the emergence of even more innovative and efficient software development life cycle methodologies. But for 2024, we bet these are the top SDLC methodologies you must choose from.
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