Software Process & Software Process Models [Types of Software Process Models]

The term software refers to a specially formulated set of computer programs the associated documents, and the processes that elaborate software programs and their utility. A software process is another set of activities or associated outcomes of the software project. The major activities include software specifications, development, validation, and evolution.

In this article, we will explore more about software processes and software process models in depth.

An Overview: Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) 

The Software Development Life Cycle alludes to a process utilized by the Software Development Industry for designing, developing, and testing software solutions. The objective of this process is to develop high-quality software solutions that exceed or meet user expectations within stipulated time frames. SDLC is also known as a software development process, which is a framework that defines software development tasks that are formed at every phase of the development process.

The project follows the process which consists of a detailed plan elaborating on how to develop, maintain, alter, replace, or enhance the software solutions. A typical software process consists of multiple stages such as planning and requirement analysis, defining requirements, designing a software product architecture, developing the software solution, testing the project, deploying or maintaining the software in the market.

An Introduction To The Software Process Model

Software processes refer to a coherent set of activities and processes required for specifying, designing, implementing, and testing the software systems. Any software process model is the abstract representation and ideation of a process that can highlight the description of a resembling process for a few specific perspectives.

There are multiple software processes that majorly involve:

• Specification: It defines which systems would perform what job.

• Design And Implementation: It defines the organization of the software systems and their subsequent implementation.

• Validation: It checks what the customer wants from the required system.
• Evolution: It involves changing the system corresponding to the user requirements.

Types Of Software Process Models

The software processes, frameworks, and methodologies are abstractions that can be utilized directly by the organization to perform their day-to-day work. These processes can also be adapted and extended by the flexible frameworks of the organization to generate a custom set of steps to the requirements of specific software projects or groups. In a few cases, a “maintenance” or “sponsor” organization evenly distributes an official set of the needful documents for describing the software process.

One of the basic aspects of the software development process complies with software development life cycle (SDLC) models. There are various software development life cycle models specially crafted for achieving different objectives. These models are specified at various stages of the process and development module in which they are carried out. The most popular software development life cycle models are mentioned below.

1. Waterfall Model

The Waterfall model represents a breakdown of software project activities in a linear sequential phase. Each phase of this model relies on the deliverables of the previous phase, and it corresponds to the particular aspects of the tasks. The Waterfall model is the first software process model that was introduced. This model is extremely easy to understand by the developers.

Each phase of this model is completed before the next phase to avoid the overlapping among the multiple phases. The Waterfall model illustrates the software process in a linear sequential flow, which means that any face of the whole process begins only if the previous phase is completed. The approach of this model is typical for most of the areas of software engineering design.

It goes from requirements > design > development > testing > deployment > maintenance.

2. Iterative Mode

An Iterative software development life cycle model does not directly attempt to begin with a full specification of the prerequisites. Instead, it starts by focusing on a simplified and initial set of user features and activities. These features are then progressively developed to gain complexity and a broad range of functions until the expected software system is finished. While adopting the Iterative software model approach, the philosophy of gradual incremental development is also used liberally.

In simple words, an iterative approach starts by implementing and specifying just a part of the software that can be reviewed or prioritized for identifying further requirements. This process is repeated with several new versions of the software for every iteration. In any lightweight iterative software project, the project code represents the actual source of system documentation, but in a critical iterative project, formal software projection is also required.

3. V Model

The V model for software process represents a development methodology that can be considered as an extension of the Waterfall software model. In this process, instead of moving down in a unique and linear manner, the steps of the process are bent upwards soon after the coding phase, to develop a typical V shape.

This model represents the relationship between each phase of the software development life cycle, along with the associated phases of software testing. The horizontal and vertical axis of this model represents time/project completeness and level of abstraction, respectively.

4. Incremental Model

The Incremental model of the software development process is a method through which the software is carefully designed, implemented, and tested in an incremental manner until the final product is obtained. This process involves both the development and maintenance aspects. The final product is declared as complete when it can satisfy all of the requirements.

Each of the iterations passes through various requirements, designs, coding, and testing phases. Each subsequent release of the product adds functions to the formal release until the designed functions become fully implemented. The Incremental model conducts the amalgamation of the elements of the Waterfall model along with the iterative philosophy of prototyping.

5. Spiral Model

The Spiral model refers to a test-driven software development model that was introduced for superimposing the shortcomings present in a conventional Waterfall model. The Spiral model looks exactly like a spiral having multiple loops. The exact number of spiral loops is unknown and they can differ from project to project. The Spiral model facilitates risk handling management, and the final software project is delivered in the form of loops.

Each loop of the Spiral model is known as the phase of the whole software development process. The initial phase of the Spiral model in its early development stages of the Waterfall life cycle is required to develop the final software product. The total number of faces required to develop the software can differ from project managers and depends on associated risks.

6. Agile Model

The Agile model refers to an umbrella term for a specific set of practices and methods based on the values expressed in the same manifesto. Agile manifesto represents a way of thinking that allows businesses and team members to quickly innovate and respond to the ever-changing demands of the industry, while eliminating the risks. The organizations can use the Agile methodology with the help of various available frameworks such as Kanban, Lean, Scrum, etc.

The Agile development movement also offers alternatives to conventional project management systems. The Agile model is typically used in the software development process for helping the businesses to respond proactively, referring to a group of software process methodologies.

At this stage, the requirements and software solutions evolve alongside the collaboration between multiple self-organizing functional teams. The primary objective of this model is backed by the software development team’s ability to develop and respond to a turbulent environment.

Also Read: Software Engineer Salary in India

The Bottom Line

To structurally develop software, it is crucial to follow a well-defined and sought-after software process model that can meet the project development requirements. Also, at the beginning of the project development, it is difficult to work out all the project requisites. Hence, the most popular software process models are the ones that can be used to enhance software efficiency in the long run.

With M.Sc. in Computer Science by upGrad, IIIT Bangalore, and Liverpool John Moores University, you can pursue a Software Engineering career, while PG Diploma courses by upGrad and IIIT-B in full-stack development and blockchain can set your path on software development.