Agile vs Waterfall

Agile and waterfall approaches are two distinct methodologies for completing projects or work items. Agile is an iterative methodology with a cyclic and collaborative approach. Waterfall is a sequential methodology that can be collaborative, but activities are usually handled in a more linear fashion.

Waterfall Model



Waterfall, on the other hand, is much more linear, focused on up-front planning with well-stated requirements prior to the start of a project. Work cascades across multiple project phases, much like a waterfall, as its name suggests. Before the next step may begin, the previous one must be finished.

Waterfall is best suited to projects that are less complex or have well-defined requirements, processes, and roles for team members. Single delivery periods with a lot of information and the expectation that very little will change are optimal. When the client is not required to be substantially involved beyond the initial brief and final delivery, waterfall works effectively. Waterfall can make sense from a management perspective for fixed-price or contract-dependent projects to reduce the risk of budget or delivery overruns.

Waterfall Methodology Pros and Cons

Pros

  • For well-defined projects, the waterfall is extremely effective. Stakeholders in the project agree on what will be delivered up front, making planning and design considerably easier. Because the complete scope of the project is known from the start, it is easier to track progress.
  • In contrast to Agile, this more linear method frequently means that team members just need to be accessible for their respective project phases, allowing them to focus on other tasks. Customers may only need to be substantially involved in the early scoping phase of a project and then at delivery.

Cons

  • Waterfall, on the other hand, necessitates detailed requirements upfront, which can be difficult for more complicated or long-term projects.
  • Because of the project's sequential nature and reliance on pre-planning, it has a degree of rigidity built-in, making mid-project pivots or directional adjustments impossible to implement without re-engineering all those pre-made blueprints.

Agile Model



Agile is a set of principles and values that came to life in 2001, created by 17 technology leaders. Underneath the umbrella of Agile are a range of product delivery methods, such as Scrum, Lean, Six Sigma, and Kanban. These provide a flexible and iterative solution, which allow you to adapt as the situation demands.

When a project is predicated on incremental progress, complicated deliverables, or various, not always sequential schedules, Agile makes sense. Agile will be required for projects that demand cohesive and collaborative but cross-functional teams to deliver. If processes or roles are unclear, there is room for them to be clarified as the project progresses. It also allows the project customer to be involved at any point during the process. Agile is well suited to products that are developed in stages, updates, or versions.

Agile Methodology Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The flexibility of Agile prevents rigidity. Stakeholders and team members have the opportunity to monitor and test throughout the project, allowing for adjustments and changes as the project progresses. Because of the increased 'user focus,' the end result is more likely to be in line with expectations — even if those expectations have changed over time.
  • Teamwork, cooperation, self-organization, and accountability are all encouraged in Agile. This aids overall motivation and dedication to a project's achievements and objectives.

Cons

  • If the changes are not managed and communicated effectively, an Agile project might generate problems in other parts of the organisation when priorities move.
  • When teams are new to working in an Agile manner, there is a danger that members will be unsure of what to focus on as the scope expands.

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