Mozilla has implemented the Lorentz development model.

After the recent release of Firefox 3.6, Mozilla is moving to its own software development methodology called Lorentz. It combines the principles of classical programming on the principle of a waterfall, and the methods of Agile. It is assumed that in this way it will be possible to introduce features into the browser in shorter iterations, that is, releases will be released faster.

Thanks to the Lorentz model in the Firefox 3.6.x lineup, not only patches will be released, but also updates with new features. Previously, in versions like 3.5.x, this was not the case, and all the new features accumulated for the main release. In general, this is a major change.

According to Firefox project director Mike Beltsner (Mike Beltzner), due to the developer section on the Lorentz model, major releases will now be prepared longer, but features will appear faster.
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A similar approach is now used in the development of Linux. For example, in the current 2.6.x kernel, new features are released with every release, that is, about every three months.

via InternetNews.com