With the increasing competition and emergence of the latest technologies, we witness the launch of a wide array of mobile and web applications. Every day, new apps take their place in play stores, facilitating our lives in numerous ways.
However, when we speak about these applications, the core of their development lies with those hardworking programmers and developers of software companies. If we talk about these organizations, they develop a variety of products during their course of development. It is inevitably significant for programmers to choose the right technology for app development.Â
Now, when speaking about methodologies, Agile and Waterfall have become a significant part of this discussion. There have been debates regarding which of these two is better for development. However, the use of these technologies widely depends on your project requirements.
Let us take a look at both these methodologies and compare Agile vs Waterfall before taking the plunge.
Waterfall methodology has a linear and structured approach to project management. Therefore, it is also known as a linear sequential lifecycle model. It consists of sequential steps in its Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
The Waterfall model is comprised of phases, wherein it is mandatory to complete each before starting the next one. It is because the output of the first phase will become the input for the next one. It has a direct flow, and there is no overlap.Â
This methodology is easy to understand, measure and execute, which is beneficial for programmers during the development process. However, Waterfall is not suitable for all projects. One of the drawbacks of this technology is that it can be slow and doesn’t allow for error correction or feedback.Â
When you have everything prioritized and strategized for a project, the waterfall approach is ideal. It means once you define every stage of the product development, there is no scope for changes. Moreover, you can move to the next phase of the development only when you are done with the previous one.
For example, when you construct a building, you need to start with the foundation and then the floors. Once the floors of the building are developed, you cannot make any changes to the foundation or rebuild them, which will cost you more. This instance of constructing a building shows the waterfall methodology, wherein the plan is well-defined in advance and you are bound by what is strategized in the plan.
There are remarkable reasons programmers prefer to use Waterfall for their development projects. Let us take a look at these benefits.
Though Waterfall offers impactful benefits, it also has certain drawbacks. They are mentioned below.
Read More: Dual Track Agile: The Product Development Methodology Explained!
When using Agile methodology, the team usually involves around 9 members who are self-organized and follow a cross-functional approach. Moreover, it also comprises iterations, wherein functional code from each sprint is connected with the previous iteration.
At the end of each phase, the team shows a demonstration to stakeholders for their feedback. As a result, they can easily make changes during the software development course. Since the team has the advantage of having feedback at the end of each sprint, they can adjust the product roadmap during the development lifespan to make sure that the functionality meets user expectations.
When you are dealing with a project with a specific deadline, the agile process is ideal. In this case, you need to plan the scope and determine the resources before taking the plunge.
Software development can be the best example of this methodology as it occurs in different stages (sprints). Other examples can be publication and marketing content. In all these instances, you can see one thing common, and that is working in sprints.
The agile approach consists of precise deadlines and resources, wherein team members and scrum leaders prioritize the sprints and their period. Moreover, the scrum master manages different scrum boards and excess lists for various kinds of resources.
The agile approach offers significant benefits over traditional software development methodologies. Let us take a look at these advantages.
So, the question remains which methodology you should choose for your project development. The answer to this is simple. As we discussed above, Agile vs Waterfall, both of the methodologies have their pros and cons in accordance with the project requirements.
When you are determined to execute your product development with a well-defined strategy related to each stage with no changes required, the waterfall approach is the ideal choice. However, when you want to have the flexibility of making changes as and when required, the agile methodology is the right choice.
You should make the right choice of methodology that best suits your project requirements considering the pros and cons of both.
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