Overview of YooCollab’s Software Development Approaches

The software development approaches process is no different at YooCollab. This article takes a closer look at the pros and cons of each methodology, as well as cases when they work best.

Agile Approach to Software Development

Agile software development is an iterative approach that requires speed and flexibility.Agile, however, is not a single method, but an umbrella term covering several frameworks. At YooCollab, we are using the Scrum framework, which practices “time-box” efforts.

However, there are some drawbacks that have been identified.

Advantages of Agile

• Responding to change :

This may be one of the biggest advantages of Agile. Agile methodology allows for easier response to change as the team works on a set of important tasks at any given time.

• Embracing uncertainty

The truth is, when the project is just starting, nobody knows everything about it. There are plans, ideas, and projections, however, they may change during the development process. Another idea Agile is based on is the idea of uncertainty. The team may discover that the problem they are tackling is more complex than expected. More information is discovered about the project as it goes, and Agile allows everyone involved to accept that.

• Speeding up the review circles

Agile is an iterative approach to software development, which means that it’s essential to continuously try out new ideas, check what worked and what didn’t, and change the process accordingly. The time-box approach allows teams to review the completed work and provide feedback faster, to make sure that high-quality product users actually want to receive is delivered.

Disadvantages of Agile

• Uncontrolled independence

A basic understanding of deliverables, documentation, and dedication are necessary for the successful completion of a product. If not controlled properly, this can lead to failure. 

• High levels of unpredictability

YooCollab utilizes Agile, valuing individual team members and interactions over the process. Agile helps them to craft working software instead of spending too much time on documentation.
It also improves collaboration with the client.
However, because a lot of planning happens during the process as stakeholders acquire new information about the project, it makes it harder to predict what resources will be necessary for upcoming steps or features.

Waterfall Approach to Software Development

As mentioned earlier in the article, another approach that we use at YooCollab depending on the project is Waterfall. The Waterfall methodology is distinct from Agile in that each stage of the process must be completed before progressing to the next.

As Agile, Waterfall too has its upsides and downsides. Here are the ones we’ve singled out.

Advantages of Waterfall

• Speed

Documentation is a key part of Waterfall. Since it’s ready since the beginning, everyone involved in the project has a clear understanding of the project needs. This also speeds up the testing process.

• No financial surprises

Because of the in-detail pre-planning, it’s easier to estimate the costs of the project, and there are very rarely any financial surprises.

• Timelines are kept

Pre-planning was done in detail, making it easier to estimate the costs of the project.

Disadvantages of Waterfall

• Changes are complicated

After the initial planning and approved documentation, it may be difficult to make changes, as Waterfall is not the most flexible software development framework. This may slow down the development process and confuse the timeline, as well as increase the costs.

• Harder to define needs

Because development phases in the case of Waterfall take longer than the time-boxes in the case of Agile, it can be harder to understand the client’s needs at any given time. And if those needs alter, making changes will take longer because of the large amount of work already completed.

At YooCollab, we use Waterfall in cases when the scope of the project is more or less clearly defined, with not many changes expected to happen. It allows us to complete the requirements early on and improve resource utilization by splitting the tasks.

Choosing the Right Software Development Approach

Choosing the right software development methodology will lay the groundwork of your entire project, that’s why it should be approached with care and attention. To make sure you choose the right framework, you need to:

• Understand the needs of your client or your customers;
• Have an understanding of characteristics of the project you are going to work on;
• Understand how flexible you can be during the development process, both time- and money-wise. 

While it’s impossible to predict the future or know how the project will go, having some ideas about these points will set you on the right path of choosing the right software development approach for your upcoming project. For example, in case your customer base loves to give feedback and expects the product to alter, Agile may be a more preferred option to Waterfall.

Wrapping Up

When it comes to choosing the right software development methodology for your project, there is no right answer. Each project should be approached from a new angle and taken into consideration individually. For use, the combination of Agile and Waterfall creates the necessary balance between flexibility and predictability to ensure the success of our projects. If you are unsure about where to start with choosing the right development approach, these two may be a safe bet.