Evolution of SDLC Methodologies

The development of information systems began from 1940 to 1960. The rise of software crises led to the development of organized and systematic software engineering approaches. Certainly, the software industry is too dynamic and requires constant updating. Therefore, many methods of software development have been proposed to improve the efficiency and improvement of software. Currently, the field of software engineering is using life cycle models for software development.

These models include the Waterfall Model, Agile Model, etc. Among all the life cycle models, Agile is widely used and the most popular and reliable:

Waterfall Model (1970s):

• The Waterfall model was the earliest SDLC methodology, following a linear and sequential approach.
• Each phase (requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment) must be completed before moving to the next.

Iterative Models (1980s):

• Iterative models allowed for cycles of development, enabling partial implementation and feedback before proceeding.
• Prototyping and incremental development emerged as variations.

Agile Manifesto (2001):

• The Agile Manifesto emphasized collaboration, customer feedback, and iterative development.
• Agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP) gained popularity.

Scrum Framework (Early 2000s):

• Scrum, an Agile framework, introduced time-boxed iterations (sprints), daily stand-ups, and roles like Scrum Master and Product Owner.

Lean Software Development (2003):

• Lean principles, derived from manufacturing, were applied to software development, focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing customer value.

DevOps (2009):

• DevOps emerged as a response to the need for collaboration between development and operations teams.
• It emphasizes automation, continuous integration, and continuous delivery for faster and more reliable releases.

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) (2011):

• SAFe was introduced to address the challenges of scaling Agile practices to large enterprises.
• It provides a framework for implementing Agile at scale, incorporating Lean and Agile principles.

DevSecOps (2015):

• DevSecOps extends DevOps by integrating security measures into the entire software development lifecycle.
• Security considerations become an integral part of development practices.

Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) (2010s):

• CI/CD practices automate building, testing, and deployment processes for quicker and more reliable software delivery.

Hybrid Approaches (Ongoing):

• Many organizations adopt hybrid approaches, combining elements from various methodologies to create customized SDLC processes.
• Flexibility and adaptability remain key considerations.

Low-Code/No-Code Platforms (2010s-2020s):

• Low-code/no-code platforms enable users with varying technical expertise to participate in software development, accelerating development timelines.

Today we are living in a heroic age of extreme development. The demand for advanced software drives software engineers to explore new methods for software development. However, new technologies follow the same old methods but in a modern way. Have you ever wondered how any software is created and what processes developers follow to create new software?

Software development is becoming important for almost every organization. The practice of software development has advanced since its beginning nearly half a century ago.