Agile Vs. Waterfall Methodology: Which is Better to Choose?

Agile Vs. Waterfall Methodology: Which is Better to Choose?

Several project management approaches are used in the software development process. Frameworks or specific principles determine project plans, especially when developing a digital product. In this blog, let's get a detailed insight into two specific methodologies of project management: Agile vs Waterfall. As we advance in the article, we will also understand the prime factors that separate these two methodologies.

So let's begin.

Why Should You Adopt the Right Project Management Methodology?

Before getting familiar with the usefulness of project management methodologies, you should understand what precisely these Project Management methodologies are. These methodologies are a set of practices that you use while conducting your projects.

In a much simpler context, a particular set of practices (a definite project management methodology) can give you an idea of where your project is heading. Also, you can track the workflows of the project.

So, map the appropriate project management approach to attain optimum performance.

As you have become familiar with the usefulness of project management approaches, let me introduce you to the key points you should keep in mind while adopting specific methodologies.

  • Team's expertise

  • Resource availability

  • Planned budget

  • Stakeholder's and end-users' expectations

  • Expected scalability of the project

  • Project's complexity

  • The freedom of deadline extension

What is Agile Methodology?

Agile Methodology is a project management framework that provides adequate flexibility throughout the project development and testing phases. In this approach, the entire project is divided into short sprints or iterations.

While using Agile Methodology, you can consider different frameworks. One of those includes Extreme Programming. It helps to increase the team's productivity and the software's quality. Another framework includes Scrum. It is typically process-based, assisting the team in reflecting on their way of work and undertaking the proper amendments.

It is not a rigid structure, which implies that you can easily incorporate changes to any stage of software development. Although the project manager is positioned at the top of the development cycle, each team member's efforts count for the project's completion and optimum performance.

Also, the short deadlines allocated for each sprint make it much easier for the responsible team member to focus on their part rather than the entire project. This eventually increases the team's productivity and the pace of software development. So, if you want to develop your software flexibly and independently, go for the Agile Development methodology.

Agile Methodology advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

  • As agile Methodology offers random changes for any project phase, you can attain maximum satisfaction for the end-user.

  • With this Methodology, you can achieve consistent delivery of the project. This implies that the team can deliver fragments of the project daily or weekly. It will help them to incorporate changes if needed.

  • Agile Methodology provides a scope of frequent communication. This not only ensures transparency but also lets both the team and client keep track of the progress.

  • The agile model offers flexibility in terms of adapting to new technologies. Thus, with agile Methodology, you can add significant business value.

Disadvantages

  • Adopting agile Methodology can create difficulty in project assessment, especially for larger projects.

  • In this model, the team needs to make prompt decisions. If you are working with some amateur team members, Agile Methodology may not be suitable for the desired result.

  • This Methodology is not well-suited for a huge team. This is because it leads to less clarification.

Wait, there are a lot more points to consider. However, before that, let's become familiar with the Waterfall Methodology definition.

What is the Waterfall Methodology?

The earliest approach to project management, the Waterfall model, follows a linear mode of project development. It adopts a sequential project management phase. The team involved in a Waterfall-based project management process has to follow the step-by-step for the project completion. They cannot jump from the first to the third or fifth phases. Also, without the feedback for the first step, the team cannot proceed with the second step.

Thus, you can perfectly categorize this Waterfall methodology as the "top-down" model. As it follows a rigid structure, you should cross-check the accuracy of each section of the project before moving forward.

Waterfall Model Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • The clear structure of the waterfall model helps the team members and project managers to visualize the path of software development. Also, the pre-defined sequence of the project phase makes the entire team stay on a specified track.

  • With the fixed deliverable of the project, teams stay focused and are more committed to what they want to achieve.

  • The linear way of developing a project can allow the development team to stay aware of the approximate timescale. Thus, it reduces the possibility of overlapping project sprints.

  • This model incorporates proper planning to testing. As you are already aware of the requirements of each project's phases, the allocated testing team will get an idea of the testing approach they need to consider.

Disadvantages

  • The waterfall model may not be suitable for a typical 'Client-focused' project.

  • There is no scope for sharing ideas after the initiation of the project.

  • There is a high possibility of extending deadlines. It is because you can only proceed forward after completing the previous tasks.

What is the Difference between Agile and Waterfall Methodology?

Agile ModelWaterfall Model
Purpose of OriginSoftware developmentConstruction and manufacturing
Rapid changesPossibleNot possible
Frameworks usedLean, Scrum, Kanban, CrystalWagile, Agilefall, Incremental
Prime priorityCustomer-focusedInternal team productivity

When to use Agile vs. Waterfall Methodology?

Deciding the appropriateness of a definite methodology in project management is confusing. Here, I have figured out some key factors based on which you can select the suitable methodology.

Team Size

The agile model is perfect if you are working with a small team. On the other hand, a larger group of teams can deliver an optimum performance using the waterfall approach.

As agile Methodology provides a scope of random changes between the project development phase, communicating with a vast team may be challenging. Right? This will further contribute to additional complexity.

Budget and Cost

With the Waterfall approach, you can go for a fixed budget. In this approach, you already plan an idea regarding resource requirements, timescale, and other elements. On the contrary, Agile Methodology implements a flexible budgeting strategy.

Hence, you cannot go for agile Methodology if you have a fixed cost.

Client-focused

The agile model provides a client-centric approach to project development, whereas the Waterfall model focuses on the productivity and performance of the internal teams.

Thus, if you have already fixed your goals and only want to interact with your client when the project completes, the Waterfall model is a perfect choice.

Change Orientation

If your project demands rapid changes, then go definitely for the Agile model. On the contrary, a waterfall model project has a rigid structure. No changes can be incorporated in between. If needed, you have to initiate the project from the beginning.

Final Thoughts

There are distinctive approaches to different project management methodologies. So, the choice of a definite model is based on the project requirements, client needs, and resource availability. Before selecting the model, you should be well-acquainted with the outcome of the project and then align the criteria to the offerings of the project management model.