Waterfall VS Agile
WATERFALL?&?AGILE METHODOLOGY IN A PROJECT
What is most important in a project?
Let’s say there are different stages in a project. However, the essential element in any project is the result.
Whether you use different software methodologies, or different strategical tactics in a project, it doesn’t matter. The final result would be the measure of all.
For organizing projects, Waterfall and Agile are the two popular ones. If the project constraints are well documented and understood, the best approach would be waterfall. When the significant constraints is not well understood, Agile methodology is preferred.
Waterfall is a linear and sequential practice in project management, while Agile is incremental and interactive practice.
?Waterfall Methodology
Waterfall follows a sequence of steps and until the prior phase is not completed, it won’t move forward. It is one of?the oldest project management technique in project management which emphasizes a logical progression of steps. This methodology leaves no room for revisions and unexpected changes.
Let’s look in depth at what the waterfall methodology does the best.
?Why Waterfall?
1.?Clear structure
While comparing with other methodologies, waterfall focuses on defined and clear set of steps. It follows a sequential structure and each and every projects goes through these steps.
2.?Well transferred information
Waterfall methodology emphasis a clear transfer of information at each and every step. When you are experiencing unexpected changes or passing projects off at each steps, this methodology prioritizes the information which is accessible. So if needed, the new additions to the team can get up to speed up fast.
3.?Easy management
Due to the rigidity of this model, each phase have a review process and specific deliverable.?So it’s easy to manage and use.
Why not a best option?
Waterfall is a traditional methodology which is structured and straightforward. Due to these features, it does not allow revision or much reflection.
Consider these limitations to know whether waterfall is a fit for you or not.
?1.?Difficult to change
Waterfall methodology is purely based on a set of steps to the end of a project. But while facing an unplanned block, that requires to change the goals, it won’t be easy to pivot.
?2.?Excludes end user
Waterfall methodology gives a very little consideration to the end user. Because, the main concern of this methodology is to help the internal teams to move efficiently at each phases of a project.
?3.?Risk and uncertainty
Once the application reaches the testing stage, it is very difficult to go back and change something which was not well thought out in the planning stage. So this methodology is not suitable for the projects where the requirements are at moderate risks of changing.
?Agile methodology
So what is Agile methodology in project management?
Agile methodology is an iterative approach in project management and software development which helps team to deliver the value to the customer.
Agile was developed as more flexible and efficient methodology. Therefore, this approach enables project teams to adapt faster and easier.
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Values of Agile manifesto
Human element will always serve as an important role in any kind of project management. So relying too much on process and tools results in an inability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Working software is as important as documentation. This value is exactly about giving the developer what they need to get the job done, without overloading them.
Customers are one of the powerful asset. By involving them throughout the process can help to ensure that the end products meet their need effectively.
Historically, change was seen as an expense. Agile methodology allows for continues change throughout the life of any given project.
Why Agile?
Agile methodology ensures transparency and communication also bears a significant impact on client satisfaction.
Taking agile approach to business offers a number of advantages making a bigger autonomy and boosting the bottom line.
Here are the few benefits of agile methodology,
1.?Better productivity
Compared to traditional project management, Agile makes the project visible to all and at every stages. Projects being completed at shorter sprints, make them manageable and allows changes to be made easily at any point in the process.
?2.?Higher ROI
Being an iterative methodology, it has high chance of reaping benefits and stays ahead of the competition. The merits of Agile method is cutting costs and the marketing time in half while increasing the quality of application and customer satisfaction.
?3.??More control
For the project team and the customer, the incremental developments hold tremendous value. In agile methodology, works can be broken into parts and can be conducted in rapid, iterative cycles.
?Why No to Agile ?
1.?Poor resource planning
Agile is based on the idea that the team won’t know what the end result will look like in the beginning. So it’s challenging to predict the efforts like cost , resources and time.
?2.?Limited documentation
Documentation happens throughout the project, and as a result, it becomes less detailed?and falls to the back burner.
?3.?Difficult measurement
Agile delivers the results in increments which makes the tracking of progress requires to look across cycles. This long game makes the measurement of progress difficult.
?In a nutshell
Both Agile and Waterfall methodologies are the processes to complete the projects. One is iterative and where the other is of sequential type?which can be collaborative.
But if you clearly understand the project outcomes from the beginning itself, waterfall is the best fit. Alternatively, Agile is fit for the teams which plans on moving fast and the final outcomes is unknown.
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1 年Whether Waterfall or Agile is better depends on the specific needs and constraints of the project and the organization implementing it. Waterfall is well-suited for projects with well-defined requirements and little need for change, while Agile is better for projects with rapidly changing requirements or a high degree of uncertainty. Both methodologies have their own strengths and weaknesses and can be applied successfully depending on the context.