Agile Vs Waterfall: Which Methodology is Right For Software Development?

Agile and Waterfall are two widely practiced project management approaches. Although in recent years, there has been a seismic shift towards agile development approach, one can’t but acknowledge the benefits of the traditional waterfall approach. The best software development company, uninfluenced by Agile’s polarising effect, agree that both approaches have their pros and cons. Depending on the project scale, type and needs, the development approach is determined.


When To Use Waterfall Approach?

The waterfall approach is plan-driven and takes things one at a time. The product development cycle is structured in a phase-wise manner and project teams can move to the next phase only if the current phase is deemed complete. It offers multiple advantages including:

  • The structured approach means developers have well-defined goals and teams can cohesively work towards meeting the end goal.
  • At the end of every stage, there is a tangible output offering clear visibility to a project that improves its visibility significantly.
  • There are clear milestones from start to end, project progress is one dimensional which makes it easier to measure every development phase.

Waterfall works well in an environment where there are limited uncertainties and a larger emphasis is on control rather than flexibility. The entire approach is documented oriented and is usually preferred for projects where the expected outcomes or deliverables from each stage are well identified and defined.

When to Adopt an Agile Approach?

Agile is just the opposite of the waterfall approach. It is a welcome solution to all the disadvantages that a waterfall approach has included greater flexibility, better collaboration, and stronger interactions. In layman’s terms, the agile approach is more about Individuals and product customers and less about process and tools.

An agile development approach is most preferred if:

  • Project requirements are ever-evolving.
  • Stakeholders have to be actively involved with development.
  • roject requires shorter development cycle and frequent product releases.

Today, customer needs and preferences are constantly evolving. As such an agile development approach equips project teams to respond to customer demands in a better way. Custom application development companies suggest that project managers must opt for an approach that best suits the client's delivery needs/scope and organizational structure.


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