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Agile Vs Waterfall

The document compares the Agile and Waterfall methods of software development. It outlines the key aspects of each method. The Waterfall model follows a linear sequential design process, while Agile uses an incremental and iterative approach. The document discusses the pros and cons of each method. The Waterfall method allows for more accurate planning but is inflexible. Agile is highly flexible but lacks structure and is difficult to plan. It concludes that neither method is inherently better - the best approach depends on the specific project's needs and likelihood of changes.

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Mike Chatwin
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109 views3 pages

Agile Vs Waterfall

The document compares the Agile and Waterfall methods of software development. It outlines the key aspects of each method. The Waterfall model follows a linear sequential design process, while Agile uses an incremental and iterative approach. The document discusses the pros and cons of each method. The Waterfall method allows for more accurate planning but is inflexible. Agile is highly flexible but lacks structure and is difficult to plan. It concludes that neither method is inherently better - the best approach depends on the specific project's needs and likelihood of changes.

Uploaded by

Mike Chatwin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Agile Vs.

Waterfall: Evaluating The Pros And


Cons
SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 BY KASIA MIKOLUK8 COMMENTS

Agile and Waterfall are two distinct methods of


software development. The Waterfall model can essentially be described as a linear model
of software design. Like its name suggests, waterfall employs a sequential design process.
Development flows sequentially from start point to end point, with several different stages:
Conception, Initiation, Analysis, Design, Construction, Testing, Implementation, and
Maintenance.

Learn agile software development with this introductory course on Udemy!

In contrast, the Agile method proposes an incremental and iterative approach to software
design. It was essentially developed in response to the limitations of Waterfall, as a way to
give designers more freedom. The design process is broken into individual models that
designers work on. There is no pre-determined course of action or plan with the Agile
method. Rather, designers are free to respond to changes in requirements as they arise and
make changes as the project progresses. Agile is a pretty new player to the development
game. However, it has made substantial gains in use and popularity in the last couple of
years.

First of all, before you embark on a software design project, make sure you have the basics
of software design down. You might want to look into this great web development
certification course to hone your skills. Once, you’ve got this covered, you might be
wondering which method is right for you and your project. Before making a choice, it is
important to do some research and understand the advantages and limitations of each
approach. Let’s take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of both the Agile and Waterfall
methods of software development.
Agile: The Pros
Agile offers an incredibly flexible design model, promoting adaptive planning and
evolutionary development. Agile might be described as freeform software design. Software
developers work on small modules at a time. Customer feedback occurs simultaneously
with development, as does software testing (for more information about software
testing, take a look at this software testing course). This has a number of advantages,
especially in project environments where development needs to be able to respond to
changes in requirements rapidly and effectively.

Agile can be especially beneficial in situations where the end-goals of projects are not
clearly defined. For example, if you are working with a client whose needs and goals are a
bit hazy, it is probably worthwhile to employ the Agile method. The client’s requirements
will likely gradually clarify as the project progresses, and development can easily be adapted
to meet these new, evolving requirements. Agile is also an excellent option for
experimental software design.

Lastly, this method also facilitates interaction and communication – collaboration is more
important here than design. Because interaction among different designers and
stakeholders is key, it is especially conducive to teamwork oriented environments. Different
developers work on different modules throughout the development process and then work
to integrate all of these modules together into a cohesive piece of software at the end of
the project.  If you think Agile might be right for your next project, check out this great
introduction to Agile course.

Waterfall: The Pros


The emphasis of Waterfall is the project plan and therefore before beginning any kind of
development there needs to be a clear plan and a clear vision in order. Because the
Waterfall method requires upfront, extensive planning, you can launch software fairly
quickly. You can also estimate timetables and budgets more accurately, which definitely
tends to please clients.

Furthermore, Waterfall development processes tend to be more secure because they are so
plan oriented. For example, if a designer drops out of the project it isn’t a huge problem, as
the Waterfall method requires extensive planning and documentation. A new designer can
easily take the old designer’s place, following the development plan without a problem.

Agile: The Cons


Though highly flexible, Agile simply doesn’t have the structure that the Waterfall method
has and this does present some drawbacks. Agile projects tend to be hard to predict, from
timelines to budgets. Without a concrete plan, everything remains a bit vague and
nebulous.

In addition, as previously discussed, active user involvement and intense collaboration are
required throughout the Agile process. This can prove highly problematic for a number of
reasons. First of all, this method of development can be quite time consuming, much more
time consuming than the Waterfall method. And, it means that designers need to be
committed for the duration of the project. If a designer leaves in the midst of a Waterfall
method development project, it likely won’t be too big of a deal as the project is plan
based. In the case of the Agile method, however, development is much more person based.
Having a person drop out of the project could prove catastrophic.

Waterfall: The Cons


The Waterfall method is incredibly rigid and inflexible. Altering the project design at any
stage in the project can be a total nightmare and once a stage has been completed, it is
nearly impossible to make changes to it. So, if you’re planning to use Waterfall, you will
need to gather all of the requirements upfront. In addition, the problem with the Waterfall
method is that feedback and testing are deferred until very late into the project. So if there
is a problem, it is very difficult to respond to it, requiring a substantial amount of time,
effort, and sometimes money.

So, What’s Better?


When it comes down to it, neither the Agile method nor the Waterfall method is inherently
better than the other. That being said, each method does have its uses. Waterfall tends to
be best for static projects, where it’s not likely that many changes will be made throughout
the development process. In contrast, Agile tends to be a better option for smaller projects
where changes are likely to be made during the design process. Though, keep in mind that
these are just rough guidelines and suggestions. Really, when it comes to choosing a
method there is not a right or wrong choice. You just need to understand which method is
better suited to your project and your needs.

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