Agile Vs Waterfall (Traditional) Project Management
Introduction
One of the critical questions that the project team and the Project Manager need to address at the onset of a project is to choose between Traditional vs. Agile Project Management. One of the traditional approaches is the Waterfall approach. Agile methods include choosing between different frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, Lean Management, Extreme Programming, and more. Both the methods are practical, time-tested, and come with proven track records. But obviously, each has its sets of pros and cons. So, let us get into the details and see the Agile vs. Waterfall methodology differences and similarities so that when it is decision time, we can make the right choice.
What does statistics say? As per a poll conducted by TrustRadius.com in 2019, it was found that:
Only 1 in 5 software development professionals say that they use traditional methods for software development.
At least 81% of organizations use Agile methodology.
Another research by HP says that 54% of people who use Agile are of the opinion that they use Agile methodologies with Scrum Framework because it facilitates enhanced teamwork and collaboration.
Let us start the discussion by understanding briefly what both the methodologies mean and stand for.
What is the Waterfall Project Management?
The Waterfall methodology is a linear approach that has different distinct phases where one phase starts after the one prior to it completes. So, you can say that the traditional approach goes in a predictable sequence. Between two major phases, there is a time-period where reviews happen and approvals are taken from the customer before proceeding ahead. In the traditional approach, it is assumed that the requirement of the client will remain the same while the budget or the cost and the time are variable. This kind of methodology is good for projects that have more or less a fixed scope.
The typical phases involved in software development include:
- Conceptualization of the design
- Documenting and gathering information to start the development work.
- Designing
- Coding and development of the software
- The testing of the code
- Delivering the finished product and implementing the same.
- What is Agile methodology?
Agile work is composed of two elements - time and teamwork and it includes many frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, SAFe etc. In Agile, especially in the Scrum Framework, the entire project gets divided into smaller pieces called Sprints which usually last for 30 days or lesser. As each Sprint completes, the review and feedback from the previous Sprint form the basis of the next Sprint. It is an iterative and incremental process. The focus is on time-boxing and delivering value-driven products to customers. Since the process is iterative, at regular phases, customer feedback is taken to prioritize the items in the Product Backlog for the next Sprint. The basic principles of the Agile methodology are:
Teamwork and collaboration - This is one of the biggest essences in Agile working.
- Timeboxing - Breaking down the project into smaller units called Sprints.
- Flexibility - Agile methods define how changes can be brought about in the design, framework, requirements, and deliverables.
- End-user involvement - In Agile, every work is undertaken as per the requirements of the customer.
- Lean development - The focus is on the end product and efforts are undertaken to make it as simple as possible.
- Testing - Testing happens at the end of each defined phase in the project.
Key differences between Agile and Traditional Project Management
Parameters | Agile Methodology | Waterfall Methodology |
| Approach | IncrementalIterative Flexible | Sequential Structured Rigid |
| SDLC | The lifecycle is achieved as Sprints in Scrum | SDLC is divided into pre-defined phases. |
| Requirements | Requirements can be added during the life cycle. | Requirements are fixed and pre-defined and cannot be changed. |
| Testing | Happens during each Sprint itself. | Testing happens only at the end of the product development, in the testing phase. |
| Mindset | Product mindset with the focus that the product is able to satisfy the customer's changing requirements. | Project mindset where the focus is on completing the project. |
| Teamwork | Is of great importance. Therefore, it works fine in small teams where the level of synchronization is very high. | Is not that important. Each individual has his/her own role and focuses on the same. Teamwork is very limited. |
| Defining requirements | Requirements can get added anytime during the project and are defined by the team and the Product Owner. | Requirements are finalized at the beginning of the project. |
| Chances of success | The chances are as high as 42%. | The chances are mediocre with 26%. |
| Chances of failure | The chances are as low as 9%. | The chances are as low as 29%. |
| How challenging is it? | Agile is easy to work for team members with a challenge rate of 21%. | Waterfall methodology is challenging for team members with the rate being high at 53%. |
| Planning Scale | The Agile methodology enables teams to respond to change in requirements fast because it is flexible. The cost of changes is low because of the open-ended process frameworks. | Waterfall methodology is rigid - hence does not permit teams to respond to changes. The cost of change is high because the system is so rigid and the process planned upfront. |
Agile vs. Waterfall - Advantages and Disadvantages
Now, that we have clarity about the major differences between Agile and Waterfall, let us understand the pros and cons of each methodology.
Advantages of Agile Project Management vs. Waterfall
Parameter | Agile Methodology | Waterfall Methodology |
| The underlying approach | Agile has an iterative process which makes it very dynamic | Waterfall follows a fine structure and format where each process is defined with clarity. |
| Applicability“ when these methodologies are best suited | Agile methods are suitable for small and medium projects. This approach is suitable for a dynamic environment | The Waterfall is suitable for large projects too when the scope is very clear. This approach works best in a stabilized ecosystem. |
| Adaptability | Highly adaptable and flexible. New features can be added during the project. | Simple process with defined steps that makes it easy to manage and work with. |
| What is required for project development? | Requirements are not fixed at the beginning of the project. Since the system is very flexible, changes in requirements can be added at any phase and point in time. | The clarity in requirements is a must for this method. Also, all information needs to be available with the team prior to starting development. |
| Success | This is highly successful in a scenario where there are freedom and independence. The process can be chaotic because everyone has a right to decision-making | Success is achieved in a scenario where there are order and decorum. The methodology calls for the proper structure. |
| Key feature | The main concept is that the Agile methodology is that it is open-ended and the deliverables are variable. | In the Waterfall methodology, the team has a flexible size and can be increased or reduced as per requirement. |
Parameter | Agile Methodology | Waterfall Methodology |
| Project Size | Is best suited for small-sized projects. However, for large projects, some scaling practices can be applied | Is ideal for big-sized complex projects |
| Costing | As long as the value is being created, the development can be curtailed because of the early time to market. | When the requirements from the client change mid-way during designing, development, or testing, the costs increase |
| Timeline | Time to market can be achieved faster because it is always the highest priority items are being addressed | The timeline for delivery can be big if there is a lack of clarity on the requirements at the beginning of the project |
| Client involvement | The client needs to be involved very closely in this project. | Since the project works on a rigid and structured framework, the client is not involved until the last stage. Therefore, clients can give feedback only in the end. This can cause failure in many cases. |
Conclusion
There are some obvious advantages of both the methodologies while there are some challenges too. However, the Agile way of working is more preferable these days because of its early time to market, team collaboration, value creation for consumers, regular de-risking, etc. This is especially true because change occurs every day in today's world and the Agile way of working addresses these using many of its flexible frameworks such as Scrum.
References
- https://www.seguetech.com/Waterfall-vs-Agile-methodology/
- https://www.guru99.com/Waterfall-vs-Agile.html
- https://www.trustradius.com/buyer-blog/difference-between-Agile-vs-Waterfall
Useful Links:
CSPO Certification Tulsa, Scrum Product Owner Course United Kingdom, Advanced Product Owner Online Course Johannesburg, Scrum Product Owner Training Dallas, Advanced-CSM Course Kansas City, CSPO Virtual Certification Training Davao City, Advanced Certified Product Owner Course Salt Lake City, Advanced Scrum Master Online Course London, Certified Scrum Master Certification Training Cebu City, Advanced Certified Product Owner Certification Dhaka
