A methodology adds structure and standardizes the development process, says Sandra Dower, a process-management consultant in Minneapolis. A standard approach creates certainty surrounding the development process, which reduces the chance of missing critical steps. Most methodologies also add quality checkpoints to avoid errors later. Manufacturing operations have used quality checkpoints for many years to monitor and improve quality. Considering the average quality of software developed today, the IT industry is desperately in need of this type of monitoring and continuous-improvement process.
Methodologies also help developers nail down requirements earlier to avoid changes and scope creep.
However, there are potentially significant problems that methodologists face during implementation. The culture shock to developers can be extreme. Developers who have worked for years without any specific structure will probably develop resistance to the rigor a methodology places upon the development process.