Agile vs. Waterfall: Know the Key Differences
The main difference between Agile and Waterfall methodologies lies in their fundamental approaches to software or product development. Waterfall, being a traditional and sequential model, follows a structured path, while Agile, with its iterative and flexible nature, embraces adaptability and collaboration throughout the development process.
Agile and waterfall are two popular approaches in project management, as well as in software and product development. The first aspect to remember when discussing the agile vs. waterfall debate is that agile is a continuous development process, while the waterfall methodology is linear and works sequentially. Today, the blog will cover the distinction between the two in more detail.
Agile vs. Waterfall Comparison
Here are the most important differences between agile and waterfall methodology.
| Parameters | Agile | Waterfall |
| Customer Feedback | Provided throughout the project | Provided only at certain stages when the product or deliverable is fully ready |
| Changes | Done throughout the project with each iteration | The scope is determined before the project starts, so there is little scope for any new changes |
| Priority | It is flexible depending on the customer, team or stakeholder requirements | Priority is defined before the project begins |
| Coordination in Team | Requires constant coordination among team members | The phases are clearly defined and aligned so teams don’t require much coordination |
| Budget | It is flexible and is subject to change for new requirements | It is fixed |
| Timeline | The time is subject to change as per the growing requirements | It is fixed and cannot be changed mid-project |
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What is Agile?
Agile methodology is an iterative process when it comes to project delivery. It is iterative in that the progress of a project is made by breaking it down into several iterations/chunks that require continual refinement through feedback.
Find out more if you want to learn What is Agile & Scrum?
Agile is also an incremental process where the agile team delivers the project in pieces through regular feedback. You may look into the Agile values.
In short, the agile team can quickly adapt to growing project requirements throughout the development phase. This makes the process much more fruitful to collaborate and communicate clearly with members across different teams, stakeholders, and customers.
Check out Agile & Scrum courses to learn in-depth and to apply in real-life scenarios.
Example of Agile Methodology
Suppose a company wants to build a similar product as its competitor. Apart from the product development team, the marketing team requests features while planning the marketing mix.
Using the agile methodology, the team will do the following.
- The team would break up the project into several iterations that are more or less to be completed within the same time.
- After each iteration is completed, it is delivered. If some features were left in the first few iterations, they would be picked up in the subsequent iterations.
- When the working product is delivered to clients and other team members after each iteration, changes are made after their feedback.
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When is Agile Used?
Agile methodology works when a project requires the development of a product from scratch, where the scope cannot be determined beforehand.
Related: Project Management Knowledge Areas
What is Waterfall?
The waterfall methodology takes a linear approach to product development. Each stage is pre-determined, and there is less scope for revisiting the previous stages for improvement. Unlike the continuous iterations in agile methodology, the product is developed under a pre-determined timeline across every stage.
The predefined stages in the Waterfall model work in this linear order
- Requirement Gathering & Analysis
- System Design
- Implementation
- Integration and Testing
- Deployment of System
- Maintenance
An example of these stages is given below.
Example of Waterfall Methodology
Let’s say, an automobile company is to build a new vehicle. The company would require to take the following steps through the waterfall methodology to manufacture it. You will find out how the waterfall methodology uses a sequential approach.
- Requirement Gathering & Analysis – Here, the requirements, such as engine specifications, mileage, colour, etc, are determined. Also, the budget planning is done here.
- Design – Once the requirements are planned, the next stage would be planning the design, such as the frame, the tyres, etc.
- Implementation – As all the initial planning is done for the requirements and design, the vehicle will be manufactured at this stage.
- Testing & Deployment – After the vehicle is manufactured, it will be tested under various conditions to know the defects.
- Maintenance – This is the final phase where the team determines if any update or change is required.
When is the Waterfall Methodology Used?
The waterfall methodology is best for small projects with fixed timelines and budgets, and when the team members are clarified on the project requirements beforehand.
Parting Thoughts
Hope you can now decide better between agile vs. waterfall methodologies as you are given the examples for both approaches.
FAQs
Which methodology is more adaptable to changes in project scope?
Agile methodology is more adaptable to changes in project scope compared to the Waterfall approach. Agile allows for continuous adjustments throughout the project, accommodating changing requirements during development. On the other hand, Waterfall's scope is typically determined at the project's outset. That makes it less flexible for changes once the development stages begin.
How do Agile and Waterfall methodologies differ in terms of risk management?
Agile methodology tends to address risks more proactively by allowing continuous feedback and iterations. This approach enables early identification and mitigation of potential issues. Waterfall, with its sequential approach, may encounter greater risks if any issues emerge late in the development process, as changes are harder to incorporate without disrupting the predetermined stages.
In what scenarios does each methodology excel?
Agile excels in projects where requirements are dynamic or not fully known at the project's start. That allows for incremental delivery and continuous improvement. Waterfall is better suited for projects with well-defined, stable requirements and fixed timelines, such as smaller-scale projects or those with regulatory constraints.
How do communication dynamics differ between Agile and Waterfall teams?
Agile teams often require more frequent and informal communication among members, stakeholders, and customers due to the iterative nature of the process. In contrast, Waterfall teams may have structured communication mainly at the beginning and end of each phase, as the project follows a predetermined sequence.
Which methodology is more cost-effective in the long run?
Agile methodology can be cost-effective in scenarios where project requirements evolve or are not fully known initially. Its iterative nature allows for early detection and correction of issues, potentially reducing overall project costs. However, Waterfall's upfront planning might be perceived as cost-effective for projects with clearly defined requirements and fixed scope, preventing additional expenses associated with changes during development.
Aquib is a seasoned wordsmith, having penned countless blogs for Indian and international brands. These days, he's all about digital marketing and core management subjects - not to mention his unwavering commitment ... Read Full Bio
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