What is methodology?

A methodology is a set‑by‑step plan or set of rules that tells you how to do something. In tech it’s the organized way you approach a project, problem, or task - like a recipe that lists the ingredients (tools) and the steps (processes) you need to follow to get a reliable result.

Let's break it down

  • Goal - What you want to achieve (e.g., build an app, analyze data).
  • Phases - The big chunks of work (planning, design, development, testing, deployment).
  • Practices - Specific actions you do in each phase (writing user stories, code reviews, unit testing).
  • Tools - Software that helps you follow the steps (Jira for tracking, Git for version control).
  • Metrics - How you measure success (speed, bugs, user satisfaction).

Why does it matter?

A clear methodology keeps everyone on the same page, reduces guesswork, and helps catch mistakes early. It makes projects more predictable, improves quality, and lets teams work faster because they know exactly what to do next.

Where is it used?

  • Software development (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall)
  • Data science (CRISP‑DM, KDD)
  • IT operations (ITIL, DevOps pipelines)
  • Product design (Design Thinking, Lean UX)
  • Cybersecurity (NIST framework, ISO 27001)

Good things about it

  • Provides structure and clarity.
  • Helps teams collaborate efficiently.
  • Makes progress measurable and visible.
  • Allows repeatable success - you can reuse the same steps on new projects.
  • Facilitates continuous improvement by reviewing what worked and what didn’t.

Not-so-good things

  • Can become too rigid if followed without flexibility.
  • May add extra paperwork or meetings that feel unnecessary.
  • If the chosen methodology doesn’t fit the project size or type, it can slow things down.
  • Teams sometimes focus on following the process rather than delivering value.
  • Over‑reliance on a single method can limit creativity and adaptation to change.