Agile methodology is a project management approach that emphasizes collaboration and continuous improvement. It breaks projects into smaller phases, known as sprints, and guides teams through cycles of planning, execution, and evaluation.
Agile methodology is an iterative approach to software development. Each iteration takes a short time interval of 1 to 4 weeks. The agile development process is aligned to deliver the changing business requirement.
Agile methodology values:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
The steps of the Agile methodology are:
- Define
- Design
- Build
- Test
The Agile methodology prioritizes:
- Quick delivery
- Adapting to change
- Collaboration
The Agile methodology encourages:
- Constant feedback
- Team members to adjust to challenges as they arise
- Stakeholders to communicate consistently
Agile Vs Waterfall
Agile:
- Approach: Iterative, adaptable, and flexible.
- Planning: Incremental planning; changes are welcome at any stage.
- Testing: Integrated with development; continuous feedback.
- Client Involvement: Frequent collaboration and feedback.
- Documentation: Emphasizes working software over extensive documentation.
- Risk Management: Addresses risks early; adjustments made as needed.
Waterfall:
- Approach: Sequential, rigid, and linear.
- Planning: Detailed planning upfront; changes discouraged once the project starts.
- Testing: Separate phase after development.
- Client Involvement: Limited involvement mainly at the beginning and end.
- Documentation: Emphasizes comprehensive documentation at every stage.
- Risk Management: Risks addressed primarily in the planning phase; limited adjustments during execution.
When to Use Agile and When to Use Waterfall
Use Agile When:
- Requirements are unclear or likely to change: Agile is highly adaptable and works well when you expect evolving or uncertain project requirements.
- Rapid development is required: Agile allows for quick delivery of working features or products, making it suitable for projects with tight timelines.
- Frequent client or stakeholder involvement is essential: Agile encourages continuous collaboration and feedback, making it ideal when clients or stakeholders need to be closely involved.
- You have a small to medium-sized team: Agile teams tend to be smaller and work well in a more collaborative and communicative environment.
- You are developing software or digital products: Agile is commonly used in the software development industry, where changes and iterative development are the norm.
Use Waterfall When:
- Requirements are stable and well-defined: Waterfall is suitable for projects with clear, unchanging requirements where a detailed plan can be established at the start.
- Client demands extensive documentation: Some industries or clients may require comprehensive documentation, which is a strength of the Waterfall approach.
- You have a larger team: Waterfall can work efficiently with larger teams where tasks can be divided into specialized phases.
- Regulatory or compliance requirements are strict: In industries like healthcare or finance, where adherence to regulations is crucial, Waterfall's structured documentation can be an advantage.
- You have a well-established and controlled project environment: If your organization is more traditional and has a history of success with Waterfall, it may be more comfortable sticking to this methodology.