Several development models involve different stages. The model is selected based on the goals and complexity of the project. If you have a business idea, write to us at https://fireart.studio/product-design-development-company/, and we will show you how you can implement it.
Stages of product development?
Today, let’s look at the most popular development types and the stages of work that correspond to them.
Cascade cycle
There are seven main types of life cycles used in the software development process. A typical software development cycle is called waterfall and looks like this. Stages:
- Preparation. It includes collecting and processing requests—preliminary planning of stages of work, timing, resources and cost.
- Software design. This stage includes the receipt of technical specifications, the development of specifications. The partner receives a documentary statement of their requirements and work plans.
- Development for configuration.
- Design is getting graphic layouts, visual forms, development of interfaces. Creation of an individual style.
- Coding is writing source code.
- Testing is checking the program for compliance with all the requirements for it.
- Documentation is the transfer of accumulated knowledge to users and other developers.
- Technical support.
- Implementation is the installation of software, user training.
- Maintenance – correction of identified errors, user support.
The downside of this approach is its complexity, and therefore high cost. Any mistake in one of the last stages can be very costly. Mistakes made at the beginning of the project are fatal. If the customer made inaccuracies in the requirements, the final product would not match the business idea.
Flexible cycle
The second of the most common is a flexible development cycle, which allows changing the direction of activities, introducing additional tasks, and requiring a detailed study of bottlenecks without negative consequences.
Building software with Agile consists of small iterations – short cycles – sprints, which are essentially small projects and take from one to four weeks. The number of sprints can be any. The steps are illustrated below.
The flexible development cycle consists of the following stages (they are approximate since there are many flexible models):
- Planning includes setting sprint goals and choosing actions to implement them, allocating available resources.
- Development for configuration provides a practical solution to problems to achieve the goals of the sprint.
- The product’s build quality includes testing and accumulation of final information to control the implementation of sprint tasks. This also includes analysis of errors and reasons for deviations from the plan and finding ways to correct mistakes.
- Project management implies demonstration and presentation of the finished software part to the customer.
- Implementation begins when it is already possible to use the software as an independent product.
The use of a flexible cycle is justified in large projects, stretched out in time, with constant changes in user requirements, and in other cases where precise planning is impossible. On the other hand, the cascade cycle is suitable for small projects with well-defined requirements and the presence of specialists with the necessary qualifications.
Comparison of waterfall and agile development cycles
Agile loops are more likely to have failed architectures, but errors are easier to troubleshoot. Architectural errors are discovered at the end of the project in a cascading cycle, and fixing the deficiencies is much more difficult and expensive. If you would like to know which development model and stages are best for your project.
Brief conclusion:
Work on Agile is carried out, as a rule, for a lower price and with portioned delivery of ready-made blocks. A waterfall cycle involves a large fixed payment for the final product, often without showing intermediate results.
The choice of a cycle depends on the characteristics of the project, being the subject and the result of the discussion. Contact us – already at the first acquaintance with the problem, and we will select a development methodology and provide an estimate for free within a few days.