Differences between Agile and Waterfall methodology
- JIAHAO GUO
- Apr 4, 2020
- 2 min read
Every software development project has its most suitable management methodology. The right method is extremely important for the team to develop software in a comfortable environment and to achieve success efficiently.
Waterfall Model methodology which is also known as Liner Sequential Life Cycle Model. Waterfall Model followed in the sequential order, and consistency of actions is a necessity. So project development team only moves to next phase of development or testing if the previous step completed successfully. In short, Waterfall Model is step by step. If the customer reviews requirements and wants to add some changes, developers have to restart the whole process.
Figure 1. The process of Waterfall model
Agile methodology is a process that helps continuous iteration of development and testing in the software development. It is designed to overcome the shortages of Waterfall model. In this model, development and testing activities are concurrent, unlike the Waterfall model. This process allows more communication between customers, developers, managers, and testers, and it is more flexibility for changes.
Figure 2. The process of Agile Model
Figure 3. Comparison between Waterfall and Agile
Advantages of Waterfall Model:
1. It is one the easiest model to work, manage and control. Because of its nature, each phase has specific deliverables and a review process.
2. It works well for smaller size projects where requirements are easily understandable.
3. Faster delivery of the project.
4. Process and results are well documented.
5. Easily adaptable method for shifting teams.
6. This project management methodology is beneficial to manage dependencies.
7. It is straight and easy to meet deadlines.
Advantages of the Agile Model:
1. It is client-focused process. So, it makes sure that the client is continuously involved during every stage.
2. Agile teams are extremely motivated and self-organized so it likely to provide a better result from the development projects.
3. Agile software development method assures that quality of the development is maintained.
4. The process is completely based on the incremental progress. Therefore, the client and team know exactly what is complete and what is not. This reduces risks in the development process.
5. The project can easily go off track if the project manager is not clear what outcome he/she wants.
Limitations of Waterfall Model:
1. It is not an ideal model for a large size project
2. If the requirement is not clear at the beginning, it is a less effective method.
3. Very difficult to move back to makes changes in the previous phases.
4. The testing process starts once development is over. Hence, it has high chances of bugs to be found later in development where they are expensive to fix.
5. It is lack of communication with clients.
6. If some information is wrong, the whole process needs to restart which is time-costing.
Limitations of Agile Model
1. It is not useful method for small development projects.
2. It requires an expert to take important decisions in the meeting.
3. Cost of implementing an agile method is little higher compared to other development methodologies.
4. It is iterative, so documentations of the whole project are ignored because the target is the working software.
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