What is methodologies?
Methodologies are organized sets of principles, practices, and procedures that guide how work gets done. In technology, a methodology tells a team the steps to follow, the tools to use, and the standards to meet when creating software, managing projects, or handling data.
Let's break it down
- Process: a clear sequence of stages (e.g., planning, design, build, test, release).
- Practices: specific actions or techniques used in each stage (like code reviews or daily stand‑ups).
- Roles: who does what (developers, testers, product owners).
- Artifacts: the documents or deliverables produced (requirements list, design diagrams, test reports).
- Tools: software that supports the work (issue trackers, CI/CD pipelines, version control).
Why does it matter?
A good methodology gives everyone a common language and roadmap, which reduces confusion and mistakes. It helps predict timelines, improve quality, and make it easier to spot problems early. For beginners, it provides a safety net that shows what to do next.
Where is it used?
- Software development (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, DevOps).
- Project management (PRINCE2, PMBOK).
- Data science (CRISP‑DM, KDD).
- IT operations (ITIL, SRE).
- Hardware design and system engineering also rely on their own structured approaches.
Good things about it
- Provides consistency across teams and projects.
- Makes onboarding new members faster.
- Helps track progress and measure success.
- Encourages best practices and continuous improvement.
- Can be adapted to fit different sizes and types of work.
Not-so-good things
- If followed too rigidly, it can stifle creativity and slow down change.
- Some methodologies are complex and require a lot of training.
- Choosing the wrong one for a project can waste time and resources.
- Over‑documentation can become a burden rather than a help.
- Teams may focus on “following the process” instead of delivering real value.