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Introduction
The Agile Vs Waterfall methodology has always been the talk of the moment. Planning projects in the programming domain depends on what methodology you acquire.
Project management can be demanding work and needs the utmost care and well-devised strategies to go forward with a successful mindset. Waterfall and Agile development methodologies enhance the planning.
In programming Agile development is for dynamic environments and continuous initiatives. On the other hand, the waterfall is for projects having defined objectives, pre-defined requirements, and strict datelines.
Agile software development methodology works on flexibility, collaboration, and efficiency. Encouraging them to be more flexible and go back to the previous project. On the contrary, the waterfall software development methodology is more rigid with pre-defined project requirements.
Agile development leverages new practices including extreme programming, scrum, and adaptive software development. The practitioners of the waterfall work on rigid phases, when one ends the other begins.
Remember that no one method suits all. Different projects require different methods of operation.
Both software development methodologies have their distinctive identity in planning for projects. In this blog, we will have Agile Vs Waterfall Methodology to help you choose the best method for project planning.
Table of contents
Agile Methodology and Waterfall Methodology: Definitions
Agile Software Development
It is a broad term use for approaches to software development. This reflects upon the values and principles agreed on by the Agile Alliance. Agile Alliance was a group of 17 software practitioners in 2001.
Agile software development values:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Dynamic and responsive over following a plan.
This method is widely use due to its flexible, dynamic, agile, and responsive approach to software development.
Waterfall Software development
Like a waterfall, the development in waterfall software has gradually flowing downward. The project is divide into certain phases which follow a sequence. It emphasizes set planning, time schedules, and implementation of the entire system in one place.
The waterfall development method requires proper documentation at the end of each phase. The approval of the user and technology management is important to start the new phase.
It is a traditional engineering approach that is apply to software development. The waterfall approach often discourages visiting and revising previous phases.
The pattern of waterfall methodology
- Requirements (Documents of requirement)
- Designs (Software architecture)
- Implementation (Software)
- Verification
- Maintenance
The waterfall methodology is consider as outdated but still relevant and used in most instances.
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Agile Methodology vs Waterfall: Tabular Comparison
| Aspect | Agile Methodology | Waterfall Methodology |
| Approach | Incremental and iterative | Linear and sequential |
| Project Phases | Constant feedback and multiple cycles | Distinct phases (Requirement, design, implementation, testing) |
| Flexibility | Dynamic and highly flexible | Changes are discouraged and inflexible |
| Customer Involvement | Customer involved throughout the project | Involved only in initial and final phases |
| Project scope | Always evolving, the scope is changed on demand and feedback | Pre-defined and fixed scope, defined at the initial stages |
| Documentation | Less documentation, emphasis on work | Comprehensive documentation for each stage |
| Testing | Testing throughout the project till completion | Testing after the development phase |
| Risk Management | Mitigation and identification of risks frequently | Early identification but management less adaptable to change |
| Delivery | Delivers small functional pieces of projects throughout | At the end of each development cycle send the final result |
| Team Collaboration | Best collaboration and effective communication | Less frequent collaboration and structured communication |
| Suitable for | Dynamic requirements and unclear projects | Projects with clear and fixed requirements |
| Example | Startups, software development, frequently updating products | Manufacturing, construction, and large-scale enterprise systems |
The above table suggests that: Agile methodology suits dynamic and flexible projects while waterfall methodology is use in fix and rigid projects. Both are popular methodologies in software development. Agile is preferable under modern circumstances and a dynamic world.
Agile Vs Waterfall Methodologies: Which Project Management Methodology Is Best For You?
Consider these factors when choosing between Agile and waterfall methodologies:
- Waterfall is better for projects with strict requirements and regulations.
- Agile is better for projects with flexible and dynamic requirements.
- Waterfall is best for projects where we have less involvement of the customers or stakeholders.
- Agile is best for projects where stakeholders are actively involved in the entire project.
- If you know the project requirement from the beginning waterfall is the best fit
- Agile methodology is the best fit for dynamic requirements and projects subjected to changes over time.
- Teams planning on moving fast prefer Agile.
- Teams working on conventional terms prefer the Waterfall method.
Conclusion
Agile and waterfall methodologies are project management methodologies with different approaches. These methodologies are best for different types of projects and situations.
If the project outcomes and requirements are fix and known from the beginning. In this case, the Waterfall methodology is the best fit. When a project must meet strict datelines and regulations waterfall is the method to go. A project requiring deliverables after the completion of each cycle may require a waterfall methodology.
On the other hand, Agile suits fast-planning teams with constant experimentation. If the outcomes and requirements are not fixed Agile development methodology is the best fit.
If you don’t know what the final project will look like turn to Agile methodology for project management. Agile is the choice of self-motivated and collaborative teams.
List down the project requirements and the nature of the project to choose better between the two prominent methodologies.
The Agile methodology vs Waterfall methodology end on the concept that no one method fits all. Methods are to be chosen according to the requirements and nature of the projects.