{"id":8558,"date":"2020-10-12T10:54:36","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T10:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intagleo.com\/blogs\/?p=2033"},"modified":"2023-04-28T16:46:30","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T11:46:30","slug":"agile-or-waterfall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intagleo.com\/blogs\/agile-or-waterfall\/","title":{"rendered":"Agile or Waterfall<\/span> – How to Make the Right Choice for Your Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before embarking on any software development project as a team, the most important question you need to ask yourself is how you\u2019ll actually go about executing it. Often, this boils down to two choices: Agile and Waterfall. While many will be quick to proclaim Agile as the better option, we would urge you to hold off judgment until all the facts are in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Agile is clearly more popular than Waterfall. According to a 2019 report<\/a>, about 97%<\/strong> of organizations are now practicing <\/span>agile development methods<\/span>. However, this isn\u2019t just a popularity contest, and there are many other factors at play here.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we will delve into the Agile vs Waterfall debate, discuss their pros & cons, and try to understand which project management methodology is a good fit for you. So l<\/span>et\u2019s begin!<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Waterfall Methodology?<\/h2>\n

Among the software development approaches in question, Waterfall is certainly the more conventional of the two. It is linear, sequential, and typically comprises multiple phases, where only when a phase is complete, does the software development team<\/strong><\/a> move on to the next one. Moreover, the team may need the client\u2019s approval before progressing to the next one. The methodology also generally flows in one direction (hence the name), meaning the team can\u2019t go back to a previous stage without starting over.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Waterfall development phases look something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Agile-Waterfall-Development-Phases\"
A diagram depicting different phases in Waterfall Development<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now let’s discuss each phrase briefly.<\/p>\n

Conception<\/h3>\n

In this stage, the team does a quick assessment of the project, how they might go about executing it as well as the costs involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Analysis<\/h3>\n

The development team analyzes project requirements comprehensively, determines their feasibility, and documents all this information in a requirements document.<\/span><\/p>\n

Design<\/h3>\n

Based on the documented requirements from the previous, the team prepares the system design. No coding takes place in this stay, and the team only decides what the final solution will look like and how they\u2019ll go about realizing it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Development<\/h3>\n

In this stage, developers leverage any algorithms and flow designed previously to create code that actually becomes part of the final product. The code is typically implemented in smaller pieces and then integrated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Testing<\/h3>\n

With development out of the way, the code can now be tested for any errors or bugs. Testers may use manual or automated testing to identify any issues or faults.<\/span><\/p>\n

Deployment<\/h3>\n

Once testing is complete and reported issues are resolved, the finished product is deployed to the customer for release.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintenance<\/h3>\n

Once the product is out in the wild, clients may encounter additional problems, and the development team may have to resolve them to ensure the product\u2019s continual success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Waterfall Methodology Pros<\/h2>\n

Clear Deliverables and Progress Tracking<\/h3>\n

Compared to most other models, Waterfall necessitates a clear understanding of deliverables, timelines, and milestones among both clients and the development team. With all parties on the same page with regards to the project scope, it\u2019s not only far simpler to manage expectations, but also to measure and track progress.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Waterfall methodology also employs a rather rigid structure where everything is carried out in phases, one after the other. This makes planning even more straightforward, especially if the project is simple and has fixed requirements and budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

Outcomes Are More Predictable<\/h3>\n

Another benefit of having a fixed structure and agreed-upon requirements is that the development team has a clear sense of what the finished product is supposed to be like from the get-go. In such an ideal situation, there\u2019s very little room for any deviation from what\u2019s already been committed to the client, making the final product more predictable and in line with the customer\u2019s expectations with regards to both feature-set and delivery time.<\/span><\/p>\n

All Team Members Are Not Needed All The Time<\/h3>\n

Not all resources have to be engaged throughout the entire duration of a project. They will only have to work in certain phases of the project during which their services are required. For example, only Business Analysts need to be present during the Requirements Gathering phase, freeing up developers and Quality Assurance Engineers to focus their time and attention elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Easy to Understand<\/h3>\n

The Waterfall model\u2019s sequentiality makes it fairly straightforward and easier to comprehend and adopt than Agile. This means most development teams can dig into waterfall development right away without requiring any prior training or getting the hang of new principles. Moreover, since requirements and deliverables are fixed and predictable, management is simpler, and teams don\u2019t need to be constantly on the lookout for any curveballs coming their way.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Focus On Documentation<\/h3>\n

Waterfall necessitates comprehensive documentation throughout the project\u2019s lifecycle, ensuring vital information is conveyed seamlessly between different parties involved in each of the phases. This is extremely vital as any gaps in communication and misunderstandings can be detrimental to timelines and project quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides quickly bringing the team up to speed on the project\u2019s particulars, documentation also promotes better understanding and allows for better planning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Requires Minimal Customer Involvement<\/h3>\n

With the Waterfall methodology, the client doesn\u2019t need to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times. After the initial requirements gathering process, there\u2019s very little customer involvement required, especially since the project scope is fixed and changes are unlikely. Therefore, this approach is great for projects with clear, unchanging goals and customers who don\u2019t want to be very hands-on throughout the development process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Waterfall Methodology Cons<\/h2>\n

Changes Can Be Costly and Difficult<\/h3>\n

Owing to its sequential structure, the Waterfall Methodology favors predictability over flexibility and works best when the project requirements are clearly defined and fixed. Once a particular phase has been completed, the development team can\u2019t revisit it if any issues that pop up downstream until the testing phase. By then, development is practically complete, and going back to fix anything often proves difficult and expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Testing Often Suffers<\/h3>\n

As discussed, the testing phase follows development in Waterfall. Since you can\u2019t test on the fly, most of the bug fixing is typically left for the very end. While this can be an issue on its own, it’s further exacerbated if phases before testing start falling behind as the project still needs to be completed on time. Any delays in design and development usually mean testing has to be rushed to meet deadlines, allowing bugs to fly under the radar and leading to a subpar final product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hard to Gather Accurate Requirements<\/h3>\n

To guarantee a project\u2019s success, nailing down the customer\u2019s exact requirements is a must. However, this is easier said than done, especially if the customer is unable to furnish sufficient details or if their needs are subject to change. This paves way for assumptions, misunderstandings, and eventual disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lack of Customer Feedback May Cause Dissatisfaction<\/h3>\n

In waterfall development, customers are only engaged during initial project scoping and requirements gathering, and don\u2019t get to see what\u2019s actually being developed until after several phases. While some customers may breathe a sigh of relief at the thought of not having to be super-involved throughout, others may find being kept in the dark a bit frustrating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, since there\u2019s not much they can do to provide feedback or clarify their position, the final product may fall short of their expectations, leaving them even more dissatisfied with the overall experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Agile Methodology?<\/h2>\n

Agile is an iterative and incremental approach to project development that focuses heavily on teamwork, rapid delivery, and adaptability. Unlike Waterfall, where the entire project needs to be laid out before development can begin, Agile breaks down the overall project into smaller, more manageable units and prioritizes delivering critical or foundational features.<\/span><\/p>\n

Principles of Agile<\/h3>\n

To fully comprehend what Agile is all about, we need to know the principles that define it. Based on <\/span>the Agile Manifesto<\/b><\/a>, these can be summed up as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n