For several years, app development teams and project managers followed the traditional method, which is also called a waterfall approach consisting of strict planning, detailed documentation, and a well-planned development process. 

But in recent years, thanks to the rapid development focus in the IT sector, the development approaches have evolved faster, and we now have multiple methodologies at our disposal. 

When it comes to mobile app development, the following methodologies enjoy a clear upper hand over others. 

 

Agile Development Approach 

The Agile development approach or agile methodology consists of several sprints or short length development cycles. This approach is known for risk minimization of risks. Following the end of each cycle, the app developers prepare the reports of the respective client’s results and incorporate changes if required or cited by the client. This way, it also gives the clients full control of the entire development process. 

Some of the key advantages of Agile methodology include the following :

• Agile helps in the thorough planning of the project. Breaking up the app development process into several stages and steps helps make meticulous plans for each stage. This ensures saving a lot of time and resources.

• Agile helps in incorporating quick changes in the project. As the entire development process is segregated into sprints, it becomes easier to introduce the app development changes.

• The agile method also helps in the quick fixing of bugs and errors. Since testing is done at each stage, the project’s final stage is unlikely to come with too many bugs and errors.

• Agile always allow iterations by keeping in constant touch with the client. It always allows changes whenever the client feels the importance of anything. 

 

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

Rapid Application Development or RAD is a kind of agile management strategy which has become popular in the mobile app development scenario. Faster project turnaround that addresses the needs of a fast-paced development environment has been the key boost factor for this development method. 

Some of the key advantages of RAD development methodology include the following : 

• Like Agile, it allows developers to break the entire app project into several smaller and easily manageable tasks.
• RAD operates with a completely task-oriented structure that helps the project managers boost the developers’ efficiency by assigning specific tasks to team members as per specialty. 
• Just like Agile, it allows clients to work and have a fuller view of the entire app project after completing each stage, and the client is briefed about it.  
• Continuous and regular streamlined communication is another key advantage of the RAD approach. The constant feedback and sharing of views among the team members help uplift the efficiency of the development and design process.

 

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is another great approach to the traditional development method. MVP approach is all about building an app product with features that are most relevant and unique. This stripped-off focus on relevance helps to complete the whole project much faster and with significantly less investment. 

Some of the key advantages of the MVP approach include the following.  

• Thanks to MVP, the developers can publish the app product on the market much faster.  
• The MVP approach also allows the developers to test the core app’s viability before committing too much to building additional features. 
• The developers can build the final app product with all features over time while starting with the basic app and adding other features over time with every subsequent update. 
• A development company can save a lot of money with the MVP approach because they only need to initially spend time and energy building the key and most relevant features. 

 

Scrum

Scrum is considered part of the Agile development methodology, but it focuses on the most relevant aspects and components. Scrum methodology is very strict in respect of team commitment, and the Scrum master or the Scrum project manager takes responsibility for fulfilling the team members’ commitments. 

The key principles of the Scrum method are respectively dividing the project and optimizing the results. In Scrum, anything that can easily be divided into small parts or units should be split out accordingly. The Scrum developers have to cut down their tasks into small units and build one piece at a time. 

Some of the key advantages of Scrum methodology include the following.  

• Lesser ambiguities and complexities are a key advantage of Scrum. The Scrum is very simple with easy to understand events, rules, artifacts, and developer roles. As each piece is developed independently, the complexity of the entire project can be simplified. 

•  The scrum method is great for optimum organization of complex mess of development tasks that can be segregated into too many manageable pieces, and this is why it fits so nicely into large-scale app projects.

•  Since Scrum creates clear and transparent demarcation of roles, responsibilities, and scheduled tasks and activities for developers, the project management and control gets easier.

 

Conclusion 

Finally, which of these development methodologies suit your app project cannot be chosen instantly. It needs considerable deliberation to select the right method. While large app projects always find Agile and Scrum to help manage and complete the project faster, MVP is excellent for a small budget startup app project that needs to measure each step before moving forward. 

 

Author Bio:

Juned Ghanchi is a co-founder and CMO at IndianAppDevelopers company that offers to hire developers from India at an affordable cost for iOS and Android mobile application development. He has managed startups to large enterprise client app development projects across several industries.